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LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 



LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 

Translated from the German by 
GEORGE P. UPTON 



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HR1 STOP HER COLUMBUS 



LIFE Stories for young people 



Christopher Columbus 

Translated from the German of 
Joachim Heinrich Campe 



BY 

GEORGE P. UPTON 

Translator of " Memories" "Itnmensee" etc. 
WITH FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS 




CHICAGO 

A. C. McCLURG ^ CO. 

1911 



mil 



Copyright 

A. C. McClurg & Co. 

1911 

Published September, 191 1 






THE • PLIMPTON • PRESS 

[ VV • U • O ] 
NORWOOD • MASS • U • S • A 



©CI. A 2 05 754 



%xan&latox*si i^reface 



THERE are five representatives of the Colum- 
bus family more or less famous in the history 
of exploration, viz., Christopher, the dis- 
coverer of America; Bartolomeo, brother of Chris- 
topher, governor of Isabella and founder of San 
Domingo ; Diego, brother of Christopher, who ac- 
companied him on his second voyage and subse- 
quently entered the priesthood; Diego, son of 
Christopher, and his successor as governor of His- 
paniola; Ferdinand, illegitimate son of Christopher, 
who accompanied his father on his fourth voyage 
and became his biographer; and Colon, grandson 
of Christopher, who was made Duke of Veraqua, 
Marquis of Jamaica, and Captain-general of His- 
paniola; but all of them shine in the reflected light 
of Christopher, except his brother Bartolomeo, who, 
while not as skilful a navigator and explorer as his 
brother, was a great soldier, an experienced adminis- 
trator, and the principal support of Christopher in 
his many difficulties and hardships. 

The story of Columbus, apart from his discovery 
of America and his many thrilling adventures in the 
West Indies, should be one of absorbing interest to 



TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE 

youth. It is the story of a man who in his youthful 
days conceived a vast project, for his time, adhered 
to it with inflexible resolution though confronted 
with obstacles which would have discouraged any 
ordinary man, suffered privations and hardships of 
the most trying kind, meeting threats against his 
life, shipwreck, physical ailments, poverty, malicious 
attacks of bitter enemies, shameful calumnies, the 
disgrace of being sent to Spain in fetters by Boba- 
dilla, his jealous and cruel rival, and the ingratitude 
and dishonesty of the King of Spain, and yet accom- 
plished a purpose even greater than that which 
first inspired him, for he died not knowing that he 
had discovered a new continent. He supposed to 
the last that the region he had found was the East 
Indies. The great navigator, seaman, and explorer 
passed his last days in poverty and neglect, and 
the rewards which the King had promised were 
enjoyed not by him but by his son Diego. But 
his fame is immortal. 

G. P. U. 

Chicago, July, 191 1 



[vi] 



ontentg 



Chapter Page 

I Portuguese Voyages of Discovery — The Youth of 

Columbus — His Arrival at Lisbon ii 

II Columbus' Scheme Rejected in Lisbon — He Goes 
to Madrid and Has an Interview with Ferdinand 
AND Isabella, after which he Endures Bitter 
Disappointments 22 

III Three Vessels Fitted Out for Columbus — The First 

Voyage of Discovery is Made from Palos, August 

3, 1492 — Columbus on the Open Sea .... 30 

IV Ocean Phenomena, Unknown to Columbus and his 

Crew, Increase the Fear of the Latter ... 35 

V "Land, Land!" 38 

VI Columbus Discovers Several Islands, among them 
Guanahani, Cuba, and Haiti — Traffic with the 

Natives 44 

VII Prince Guakanahari — The Admiral's Vessel 
Wrecked — Forty-three Men Remain Behind — 

The Return Voyage Begins 52 

VIII The Return Voyage — Storm on the Way — Ar- 
rival AT THE Azores, Lisbon, and Palos ... 60 
IX Columbus' Second Journey in 1493 — Several Islands 
Discovered — The Spaniards Find their Fort 
Destroyed and the Colonists Dead .... 67 
X New Discoveries — Columbus in Great Danger — 

Uprising of the Natives 75 

XI The Natives are Subjugated — Columbus is Tra- 
duced IN Spain — He Returns to Europe and Suf- 
fers Many Hardships on the Voyage .... 82 



[vii] 



CONTENTS 



Chapter 
XII 



XIII 
XIV 

XV 

XVI 
XVII 

XVIII 
XIX 



Columbus is Graciously Received by Ferdinand and 
Isabella — His Enemies Unable to Shake their 
Confidence in Him — The Third Voyage in 1498 

— Discovery of the Island of Trinidad at the 
Mouth of the Orinoco 

Wretched Condition of the Colony — Vasco da 
Gama Sails around the Cape of Good Hope to 
THE East Indies — Ojeda's Undertaking — Cabral 
Discovers Brazil 

Columbus Again Calumniated at the Spanish Court 

— Bobadilla is Ordered to San Domingo on a Tour 
OF Investigation — He Sends Columbus Back to 
Spain in Fetters — Columbus Vindicated by his 
Sovereigns — Ovando Sails to the New Countries 
with a Fleet of Thirty-two Vessels 

Ovando Calls the Audacious Bobadilla to Account 

— Columbus Undertakes his Fourth Voyage in 



1502 



Columbus Vainly Attempts to Find the Passage 
between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans 

Columbus Abandons the Hope of Discovering a 
Passage to the Pacific and Returns to Jamaica, 
where his Vessels are Exposed to Great Danger 

— Two Boats are Sent to Haiti for Help . 
Conspiracy against Columbus at Jamaica — He Re- 
turns TO Spain and Vainly Seeks Reinstatement 

— He Dies AT Valladolid IN 1506 

Diego, Columbus' Son, Secures the Rights Coming 

to him from his Father — The Spaniards Extend 
their Authority in Central America and Rule 
Cruelly — Ponce de Leon's Discovery of Florida 
Appendix 



Page 

87 
93 

lOI 

108 
IIS 

122 
131 



[44 
tS4 



[ viii 



Iliustxationsi 



Page 

Christopher Columbus . . . Frontispiece 

Columbus Planning the Discovery of America . 28 

In Sight of the New World 42 

Landing of Columbus 44 

The Return of Columbus from his First Voyage 68 



[ix] 



,y 



C|)ri0topt)er Columbus? 

Chapter I 

Portuguese Voyages of Discovery — The Youth of Columbus 
— His Arrival at Lisbon 



THE ancient Greeks were not the only nation 
which imagined there was a region in the 
Atlantic Ocean, an island beyond the Pillars 
of Hercules, the sea highway, now called the Straits 
of Gibraltar. The traditions of other people tell of 
a land where only happy mortals dwell. Greek 
poetry assigned this region to the ocean, which was 
supposed to surround the world as it was known at 
that time. The Romans also believed in this dis- 
tant western land, and in the Christian Middle 
Ages these same traditions were carefully preserved. 
It was told that many an adventurer sought these 
Islands of the Blest but never returned home. 

The seafarers of the Middle Ages must have been 
timid navigators for they never reached the open 
sea but contented themselves with cruising along 
its shore. At last the Genoese and Venetians, 
whose cities were very prosperous in the fourteenth 
century, because of their expanding commerce, 

[II] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

ventured out of the Straits of Gibraltar. Their 
course, however, was not southward but north of the 
straits which connect the Mediterranean Sea with 
the ocean, for it is well known that the Venetians 
in 13 18 reached Antwerp by vessel. 

Simultaneously with these efforts of the Italians 
to reach the north, the Portuguese were striving to 
discover a passage to the rich Indies in vessels 
manned almost entirely by Italian sailors. The 
Genoese also undertook independent voyages of 
discovery. Two ships which passed through the 
Straits of Gibraltar at the close of the thirteenth 
century never came back. A Genoese expedition 
at the beginning of the fourteenth century discovered 
the Canary Islands, but the explorers declared they 
were not the Islands of the Blest. Before the year 
1335 a Portuguese vessel returned to Lisbon from 
the Canaries with products of the soil and kid- 
napped natives. In July, 134 1, two large and 
well armed vessels, under command of a Genoese 
and a Florentine, reached the Canaries in five days 
from Lisbon. They held possession of the islands 
until November. It is also known that Europeans 
stopped for some time at Tenerlffe,^ where they found 
almost naked but fierce natives who lived in stone 
houses, tilled the soil, and worshipped idols. About 
the close of the fourteenth century thirteen friars 



^ The largest of the Canary Islands, traversed by mountains and 
containing the famous peak. The capital of the group, Santa Cruz 
de Santiago, is located there. 

[12] 



YOUTH OF COLUMBUS 

attempted the conversion of the natives of the 
larger Canaries but were massacred by the savages. 

About this time the islands of Madeira and the 
Azores were discovered but they were uninhabited. 
The Canaries alone had inhabitants, called Guan- 
ches.^ These Guanches lived upon seven islands, but, 
as there were no means of communication between 
them, they knew little of each other. Their dia- 
lects indeed were so different that they could not 
understand one another. Wheat and barley were 
cultivated. The natives on the islands of Gomera 
and Palma went naked, lived in caves, and subsisted 
upon roots and goats' milk, and were dangerous 
enemies with their stone weapons and horn-tipped 
spears. The natives on the larger Canaries were 
the most civilized and had two large cities and 
thirty-three communities. Their two kings were at 
constant variance. The warlike Guanches were only 
subjugated after fierce encounters, for they climbed 
with the ease of goats and were such fleet runners 
that they could overtake the hare. When asked 
about their origin, they replied: "After the submis- 
sion of our ancestors the gods placed us in these 
islands, left us here, and forgot us." 

Remarkable success crowned the explorations of 
the Portuguese owing to the enterprise and zeal of 
the Infante, Henry ,2 third son of King John the First, 



^ The Guanches were a variety of the Berbers, and of Arab descent. 
2 Henry, surnamed "The Navigator," was born March 4, 1394, 

[13] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

who was surnamed by posterity ** The Navigator." 
His lean, angular person hardly bespoke his real 
greatness. His perseverance and indomitable reso- 
lution were apparent alone in his clear, open look. 
He was a man of great abstemiousness. Wine 
never passed his lips. He spent his revenues 
upon exploration and conquests on the west coast 
of Africa. The voyages of the Portuguese dis- 
coverers began in the Autumn of 141 5 but the first 
navigators returned after reaching Cape Bajador, 
for they dared not venture out into the open sea 
because of the breakers and dangerous ledges. 
Four years later two explorers, driven out to sea 
by a storm, reached the island of Porto Santo, 
previously discovered by the Italians, and from there 
went to Madeira, or the *' Forest Island," as it was 
called. It was not until 1434 that Cape Bajador 
was circumnavigated by a daring man who had 
offended the Infante and by this exploit regained his 
favor. He brought back flowers in earthen vessels 
to prove that floral beauty was not lacking on the 
other side of the dreaded cape. 

Further attempts were made in succeeding years. 
The Portuguese continually advanced and once 
brought home iish nets which they had taken from 
the natives to prove that the lands beyond the Cape 
were inhabited. Soon they penetrated to regions 
where they found gold-dust and other valuable 

and died Nov. 13, 1460. He was distinguished for his encouragement 
and patronage of discoverers. 

[14] 



YOUTH OF COLUMBUS 

products, which were taken in honor of the Infante. 
In consideration of the tremendous expense and the 
incalculable exertion involved in these voyages the 
matter of profit was alone taken into account. 
Naturally no heed was paid to their scientific im- 
portance. Explorations beyond the Cape at last 
proved very profitable and many vessels returned 
with large cargoes of slaves, for Europeans at that 
time were not ashamed of man-stealing. They 
hunted their human victims openly and even used 
dogs to run down their prey. Slavery was not 
abhorrent to them. They thought it natural that 
God should reward their man-stealing with success. 
A chronicle of the year 1444 says: "At last it 
pleased God to compensate them for their great suf- 
fering in His service with a glorious day's efforts, 
for altogether, in men, women, and children, they 
captured one hundred and sixty-five head." 

An important discovery in the year 1445 removed 
many erroneous conceptions. Dinas Diaz in that 
year sailed farther south than any navigator had 
gone before. He passed Cape Blanco, reached the 
southern line of the Great Desert, and found a re- 
gion green with palms, and people with black skins. 
The spot he discovered was called the "Green Cape." 
He proved that the theory that the tropics were 
uninhabitable was false. Aristotle had maintained 
that the tropical regions must be unpeopled because 
the overpowering heat of the sun's rays would destroy 
all vegetation. Other scholars, among them Ptol- 

[IS] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

emy, were of the same opinion. The theory indeed 
was so universally accepted at the beginning of the 
fifteenth century that many a bold adventurer 
was deterred from making explorations in that 
direction. 

In the same year, however, the Senegal, which 
Diaz had passed unobserved, was discovered on a 
second voyage. The river was declared to be a 
branch of the Egyptian Nile. In the following year 
the Portuguese met with a serious disaster on the 
African coast. Two vessels, owing to the misplaced 
confidence of their commanders in the negroes, 
ventured too near and were greeted by a shower of 
poisoned arrows. The wounded explorers died after 
reaching Lisbon, two months later, without having 
seen anything but sky and water. This disaster, 
however, did not deter other brave navigators from 
undertaking further explorations beyond the Green 
Cape, though they dreaded the poisoned arrows of 
the natives more than any hardships or perils of 
the sea. 

About this time the Azores were colonized by the 
Portuguese, for these islands had been so little 
disturbed by man that even the birds could easily 
be taken by the hand. Henry, the Infante, be- 
stowed the islands upon the explorers as an heredi- 
tary tenure. 

In the second half of the fifteenth century, during 
the reign of Alfonso the Fifth, we have very inade- 
quate reports of the progress of Portuguese explora- 

[i6] 



YOUTH OF COLUMBUS 

tion. We know, however, that the explorers advanced 
along the rivers of West Africa, especially the Gam- 
bia, which stream they ascended to transact business 
with caravans from the Soudan. It was at that time 
the European world began traffic in the great and 
rich resources of Central Africa. On the thirteenth 
of November, 1460, the Infante died, and the 
prosperity which had attended Portuguese explora- 
tions languished. History has honored him with 
the surname "Navigator," though he took no per- 
sonal part in exploration. Under his encourage- 
ment, the Portuguese, who before his time had 
timidly returned home from Cape Bajador, became 
bold seafarers. Discoveries rapidly advanced in his 
lifetime but Alfonso the Fifth wasted his inheritance. 
He gave no thought to new explorations for those 
already made were yielding him rich returns. The 
sugar plantations in Madeira brought him large 
profits, slaves were exchanged for horses, and the 
coast supplied great store of gold-dust, musk, ivory, 
and ginger. Notwithstanding their discouragement, 
the explorers pushed farther south. Before the 
close of the fifteenth century they found the Zaira, 
the Congo of our maps. King John the Second, like 
"Navigator" Henry, was greatly interested in sea 
voyages and the sciences. Under his patronage 
Bartholomew Dias, in i486, left Lisbon with two 
small vessels and a supply boat, sailed south, and 
passed the mouth of the Congo. As the wind was 
contrary he put out to sea but was so driven about 

[17] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

hy storms that at last he found the coast of Africa 
on his left. He had rounded the southern extremity 
of the Dark Continent and, finding land, he kept on 
in a northerly direction.^ His sailors, however, 
refused to go farther and insisted he should return. 
As he could not conciliate them, he began the home 
voyage reluctantly, passing again the mysterious 
cape, which he named Tormentoso, the name being 
subsequently changed by John the Second to Good 
Hope, and reached Lisbon in December, 1487, after 
an absence of sixteen months and seventeen days. 
Dias was poorly rewarded for his great discovery. 
He was not given command of a fleet a second time, 
but served as a simple captain under Cabral,^ the 
discoverer of Brazil, and, in rounding the Cape of 
Good Hope during a fearful storm. May 23, 1500, 
was drowned. 

Even before Dias had found the Cape of Good 
Hope an Italian explorer, named Cristoforo Colombo, 
appeared at the court of John the Second. When 
subsequently he made Spain his home, he was called 
Colon.^ He is best known by his Latin name, 
Columbus. This extraordinary man was born at 

^ Dias, after sailing south in the open sea for thirteen days, sought 
land to the eastward and, not finding it, turned northward along the 
coast east of the Cape of Good Hope and reached a point beyond Algoa 
Bay. 

2 Cabral was the successor of Vasco da Gama in Portuguese explora- 
tion. 

3 Columbus' name in Italian was Cristoforo Colombo; in Spanish, 
Cristoval Colon; in French, Christophe Colomb; in Latin, Christo- 
phorus Columbus. 

[18I 



YOUTH OF COLUMBUS 

Genoa in the year 1456.^ Genoese contemporaries 
assure us his father, Domenico, was a wool-comber. 
Domenico had four children: three sons, Cristoforo, 
Bartolomeo, and Giacomo (Diego) ,2 and one daugh- 
ter, of whom it is only known that she married an 
Italian innkeeper. From his earliest youth Chris- 
topher loved the sea. As a lad he showed promise 
of being a skilful sailor and brave man. He was 
active and courageous, had no delight in indolence 
or effeminate luxuries, and despised all delicacies 
which tickle the palate and weaken the health. His 
highest ambition was to secure all the knowledge 
he could so as to be of some service to his fellow men. 
In a short time he learned the Latin language, in 
which all the scientific books of the time were 
written, and, although a boy in those days could 
learn but very little of the sciences, compared with 
what can be done to-day, yet he acquired sufficient 
knowledge of them to become an authority. His 
father, who was comfortably well off, sent him to the 
University of Pavia where he studied geography, 
geometry, astronomy, and drawing. At fourteen 
he had made such advances that he was qualified 
to become a ship captain and go to sea. He exerted 
his utmost effort to Investigate the ocean and Its 
routes. The saying, "as the twig is bent, the tree 's 



^ Other authorities assign 1446 as the year of his birth. Some place 
it as early as 1436. 

2 Diego accompanied his brother on his second voyage. He became 
a priest in 1500. 

[19] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

inclined," well applies to him. He determined to 
become a great seafarer and from his earliest youth 
adhered to the determination until it was fully 
realized. 

Our young hero had his first experience in the 
Mediterranean Sea, for the voyages of his people 
at that time did not extend farther. It was much 
too confined a sphere, however, for a spirit which 
burned with the desire to accomplish unprecedented 
achievements. After a voyage to the northern ocean, 
during which he reached Iceland and gathered val- 
uable experience, he entered the service of a kins- 
man, a sea-captain, who had fitted out a few vessels 
at his own expense, with which he cruised at one 
time against the Venetians, at another against 
the Turks, seeking to capture their galleys. Upon 
one of their cruises, the young Columbus would 
have lost his life had not Providence preserved it 
for high purposes. In a stubborn fight with the 
Venetians, in which our young hero performed 
prodigies of valor, his ship as well as those with 
which it was engaged took fire. Columbus found 
himself in a desperate situation but even with death 
staring him in the face he had no fear. He boldly 
plunged into the sea, clutched a floating oar, and 
with its help swam safely to the shore, two miles 
distant. He landed upon the Portuguese coast 
and, as soon as he had rested, made his way to 
Lisbon. 

This event had a marked influence upon his 

[20] 



YOUTH OF COLUMBUS 

future career, for in the Portuguese capital his 
knowledge and ability were of great service in 
securing friends among seafarers, with whom plans 
were discussed for the discovery of a passage to the 
East Indies. An event soon happened which greatly 
promoted the ambitious purpose of his life. He mar- 
ried Felipa Perestrelli, daughter of a sea-captain, 
one of the early colonists and first governor of Porto 
Santo. This gave him possession of the diaries and 
charts of his experienced father-in-law, and as he 
studied them day and night his desire to visit these 
newly discovered islands grew stronger. He once 
more went on shipboard, made a voyage to Madeira, 
and for some time carried on a lucrative business, 
visiting the Canaries, the African coast, and the 
Azores In the meantime. 



[21] 



Chapter II 



Columbus^ Scheme Rejected in Lisbon — He Goes to Madrid 
and Has an Interview with Ferdinand and Isabella, 
after which he Endures Bitter Disappointments 

DURING the short voyages which Columbus 
made from the Canary Islands he was still 
busy with the great scheme upon which he 
was engaged in Lisbon. He often said to himself: 
"There must be a nearer route by sea to the Indies 
than that attempted by the Portuguese. If one 
sails from here across the ocean in a westerly direction 
he must at last reach a country which is either India 
or some region adjacent to it. Is not the earth 
round .^ And if round, must not God have created 
countries upon the other side of it, upon which 
men and other creatures live.^ Is it at all likely that 
the whole hemisphere is covered by the ocean? No! 
No! India certainly is a vaster region than people 
believe. It must stretch far from the east toward 
Europe. Then if one sails straight to the west he 
must eventually reach it." This was not his only 
reasoning. Several other considerations strength- 
ened his belief and this one among them: A 
Portuguese navigator once, sailing far to the west, 
found curiously wrought sticks floating in the sea, 
[22] 



HIS SCHEME REJECTED 

which came from the westward. This fact convinced 
him there must be an inhabited country in that 
direction. Columbus' father-in-law, on one of his 
voyages, found similar sticks which had been driven 
by the west winds. Felled trees of a kind unknown 
there had been found on the west shores of the 
Azores, evidently blown there by west winds. The 
bodies of two men had been washed ashore on these 
same coasts, with strange, broad faces, evidently 
not Europeans, and unlike the people of Asia and 
Africa. 

Columbus carefully gathered all these facts, 
pondered over them day and night, and, after com- 
paring with them such information as he found 
in old as well as contemporary authors, became 
thoroughly convinced that his theories were correct. 
He remembered, however, that "to err is human" 
and that four eyes are better than two. Thinking 
it unwise to rely upon his own opinions alone, he 
consulted a man whose learning and wisdom made 
his advice of the highest value. This was Tos- 
canelli, a Florentine physician, born in 1397. He was 
very old at this time, but he had already declared 
his belief to Alfonso the Fifth that a voyage across 
the Atlantic Ocean to the East Indies was perfectly 
practical, and had sent a chart to Lisbon upon which 
the distance and choice of routes was traced. Tos- 
canelli approved the scheme of Columbus and not 
only gave him much valuable advice but urged him 
to put his plans in operation as soon as possible. 

[23] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

Columbus was now fully determined to set about 
his work but he needed assistance in his preparations. 
Some government must help him and to which one 
should he give the preference? He promptly decided 
that his own dear fatherland should participate in 
the honor of his discoveries. He submitted his 
scheme to the Genoese Council and asked for the nec- 
essary assistance. The Council, however, attached 
no importance to it, regarded him as an inexperienced 
man, and rejected his proposals. He was discouraged 
by its decision but, feeling that he had at least per- 
formed his duty to his fatherland, he went to Lisbon 
to submit his plans to the Court, which at this time 
was more friendly to expeditions than any other. 
He waited upon King John the Second and asked 
permission of him and his Council to carry out the 
scheme upon which he had been engaged so many 
years. His proposition was favorably considered 
but subsequently his plan was stolen little by little 
and he found himself the victim of most despicable 
treachery. The Portuguese hastily fitted up a 
vessel and placed it in command of another leader, 
who sailed away on Columbus' course; but he had 
neither the latter's skill nor courage and, after a 
short western voyage, abandoned the undertaking as 
hopeless and returned to Lisbon. Indignant at such 
treachery, Columbus forsook a Court which had 
treated him so meanly and went with his son, Diego, 
to Madrid. As his wife had died some time before 
this he never returned to Lisbon. Fearing possibly 

[24] 



HIS SCHEME REJECTED 

that his scheme might not be accepted at the Spanish 
Court, he sent his brother Bartolomeo, who was 
familiar with all the details of his plan, to England, 
to ascertain whether he could expect help in that 
quarter. 

Ferdinand of Arragon was the ruler of Spain at 
this time (1484). His cautious and suspicious 
nature led him to regard with disfavor any scheme 
which was in the least doubtful. His consort, Isa- 
bella of Castile, was much bolder, but she depended 
entirely upon her husband and would not engage 
in anything that met with his disapproval. Un- 
fortunately also at this time the King was at war 
with the Moors, who were in power at Grenada. 
Under such circumstances what could Columbus 
expect from the King? Eventually he was hospita- 
bly received by Ferdinand and Isabella and was 
listened to attentively. Before making a decision 
one way or the other, however, the King decided 
to submit the scheme to other advisers who unfortu- 
nately had not sufficient knowledge to examine it 
intelligently. They interposed silly objections. One 
maintained that the ocean between Europe and the 
Indies was so immeasurably vast that even the most 
favorable voyage from Europe to the nearest land 
would take at least three years. Another, in view 
of the roundness of the earth, insisted that one 
sailing west would be going down hill and that when 
he wished to return he would have to come up hill, 
which would be impossible, however propitious the 

[25] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

wind might be. Others were insolent enough to ask 
him whether he imagined he was the only wise man 
among the millions of the world, and, if there really 
was land on the other side, how it happened that 
it had remained unknown for centuries. 

Columbus needed all his resolution and patience 
to endure the ignorance and insolence of his critics, 
but he retained his composure and answered each 
foolish objection seriously. But of what avail was 
it? After striving in vain for five years to convince 
these and other ignoramuses that his scheme was 
feasible, he had the added mortification of learning 
that the King sided with them. He received from 
the Court the unfavorable reply that so long as the 
war with the Moors continued the King could not con- 
sider any other undertaking. Columbus, of course, 
was disappointed and had lost much valuable time, 
but he steadfastly adhered to his purpose. ^ Far from 
abandoning it, he applied to two Spanish dukes ^ 
who were wealthy enough to fit up a small exploring 
squadron. They were lacking, however, in faith and 
courage and did not care to engage in a scheme 
which was too expensive for the King. Columbus 
was again disappointed but concealed his vexation 
and, without wasting any more time on useless 
applications, made preparations to bid farewell to 
Spain (1491) and go to the King of France from whom 
he had received an encouraging letter while at the 

^ These dukes were Medina Sidonia and Medina Celi, both of whom 
favored the scheme at first, but eventually rejected it. 

[26] 



HIS SCHEME REJECTED 

Spanish Court. He started for that country with 
his son Diego. Arrived at the flourishing seaport of 
Palos ^ he knocked at the door of a Franciscan 
monastery ^ and asked the doorkeeper for bread and 
water for his exhausted son. The learned Brother, 
Juan Perez de Marchena, guardian of the monastery, 
who was father confessor to the Queen, observed the 
wanderers. He entered into conversation with 
Columbus, who acquainted him in a most interesting 
manner with his plans and his misfortunes. The 
Brother listened to his statements with eager atten- 
tion, believed his scheme reasonable, and urged him 
to remain until he could write to the Queen and 
receive her reply. 

Columbus assented. The Brother wrote the letter 
and made such a convincing statement as to the 
feasibility of the scheme that Isabella suddenly 
changed her mind and wrote a reply, urging Colum- 
bus to return to the Court. The sorely tried and 
much disappointed man took heart again and obeyed 
the Queen's summons. Isabella received him 
graciously and expressed the hope that his scheme 
would prove successful; but, alas, the timid, wavering 
King marred all. He called the same ignoramuses 
in council again and, as they made the same report, 
he would hear nothing of western voyages and 
notified Isabella to break off the intercourse with 
Columbus. 

Colum bus' spirit, however, was stronger than that 

1 A maritime town in Andalusia. ^ xiie Monastery of La Rabida. 

[27] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

of his enemies. He roused himself anew and was 
making preparations to go to England and offer her 
King the great reward which three governments 
had contemptuously refused, when the news came 
that the Moors had been vanquished and their 
power in Spain ended. Ferdinand and Isabella 
were delighted with the outcome of the struggle 
which made them rulers of all Spain. Two friends 
of Columbus took advantage of the situation to 
urge his scheme upon the Queen's consideration and 
convince her that the royal authority would be 
greatly extended by it. Owing to the zeal and en- 
thusiasm with which they espoused his cause, the 
King and Queen at last decided to make no further 
opposition. A messenger was despatched to Colum- 
bus and he was brought back in triumph to the Court, 
where the Queen impatiently awaited him. Forget- 
ting all his sickening disappointments and blighted 
hopes, Columbus submitted his terms and when they 
were finally accepted he felt that at last his dearest 
wishes were realized. He asked for himself and his 
heirs elevation to the nobility, the rank of admiral, 
the authority of vice-royalty over all he should 
discover, and a tenth of all gains by conquest in 
trade. 

It is not strange the King was reluctant to give 
up any part of such valuable revenues and to con- 
cede such important privileges, especially as the new 
country might be larger than the mother country, 
and the representative of the King more powerful 

[28] 



mg - 




A v;! i I'^r " ■'''-'^'^' 







' ''Pil^^iiiKIW' 



■^-*»J 



HIS SCHEME REJECTED 

than the King himself — but Isabella was fully 
determined to recognize Columbus' undertaking 
and would not listen to any objections. She said: 
*'I will pledge my crown of Castile for the success 
of this scheme and my jewels also if sufficient money 
is not raised to carry it out." 



[29] 



Chapter III 



Three Vessels Fitted Out for Columbus — The First Voyage 
of Discovery is made from Palos, August 3, 1492 — 
Columbus on the Open Sea 

COLUMBUS was overjoyed at the success 
which at last crowned his efforts and at once 
began actively fitting out the necessary ves- 
sels. Those which the King placed at his dis- 
posal were so small and poorly built that no man 
but Columbus would have trusted himself in 
them upon a vast, unknown sea whose dangerous 
spots were uncharted. The vessel which he com- 
manded was named the Santa Maria; the second, 
the Pinta; and the third, the Nina. The last two 
were hardly larger than good-sized boats. The little 
squadron was provided with subsistence for twelve 
months and ninety men.^ The cost of the expedi- 
tion was not more than 5300 ducats, a sum which 
at that time seemed so large to the impoverished 
Court that the whole undertaking might have been 
abandoned had it not been that the citizens of 

^ Other authorities state that the crew of the Santa Maria, com- 
manded by Columbus, numbered fifty men; that of the Pinta, under 
Martin Pinzon, thirty men; and that of the Nina, under Vicente Pin- 
zon, twenty-four; and that the total number of the adventurers was 
one hundred and twenty. 

[30] 



THREE VESSELS FITTED OUT 

Palos provided two of the vessels, the King send- 
ing only one. At last all the preparations were 
made and the vessels lay at their anchors ready 
to sail. 

Before weighing anchor, however, Columbus con- 
sidered it a duty to invoke the favor of the Creator 
of the ocean, the Creator and Ruler of all the earth, 
for the expedition which he had so much at heart, 
for it was also his purpose to spread the knowledge 
of the only true God in the ignorant wilderness 
whither Divine Providence was to conduct him. 
Accompanied by all his companions, Columbus 
went in solemn procession to a monastery in the 
vicinity of Palos and there publicly implored divine 
help, his seamen following his pious example. Then 
they returned, full of confidence in the Most High. 
The next morning, August 3, 1492, they set sail in 
God's name amid the cheers of a great multitude 
of spectators. Columbus commanded the larger 
vessel, the Santa AJaria, and the two brothers, 
Martin and Vicente Pinzon, the two smaller vessels. 

According to Columbus' plans the fleet was to 
sail first to the Canaries, but on the second day out 
a slight accident happened which might have ruined 
the expedition if Columbus had been as weak as 
his superstitious comrades. The rudder of the Pinta 
was broken, purposely, it is believed, by the helms- 
man, who was afraid of the voyage and hoped in 
this manner to force Columbus to go back. The 
crew declared that the accident foretold disaster. 

[31] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

"We shall be lost," they shouted, "if we do not go 
back at once." 

"But why?" asked Columbus. 

"Why.^" they replied. "Heaven has already shown 
clearly enough by this broken rudder that it will 
be disastrous if we do not abandon the undertaking 
at once." 

"I really do not know," answered Columbus, 
"how you have learned that this unexpected event 
is a sign of coming disaster. So far as I know, a 
broken rudder only means that we must mend 
it." 

"The Admiral is a freethinker," the seamen whis- 
pered to each other; "he does not believe in signs." 

Columbus, who knew their thoughts, realized the 
necessity of overcoming as far as possible the super- 
stition of his ignorant companions, as a hundred 
opportunities might occur for similar outbreaks. 
He explained the matter to them in detail and 
showed them how unreasonable it was to regard it 
as a sign of future disaster, for God had never 
promised He would make the future known by signs. 
Wisely and mercifully Heaven had concealed the 
future from us. Therefore it was useless and foolish 
to expect disaster because of any sign. All that a 
wise and pious man could do was to perform his 
duties faithfully and industriously all his days, 
trusting in divine oversight and having no fear of 
the future. "Let this be the rule to govern us 
throughout our voyage," said he. By representations 

[32] 



THREE VESSELS FITTED OUT 

of this kind Columbus, although he could not entirely 
remove their superstitious fears, rendered them 
less dangerous. Nothing further of particular con- 
sequence happened and at last they came to anchor 
at the Canary Islands. There the necessary repairs 
were made and on the sixth of September they 
weighed anchor and started upon their great western 
voyage over the uncharted sea. 

Little progress was made the first day, as they 
were becalmed, but on the second, some say the 
third, the Canaries disappeared from view. They 
were hardly out of sight of land when the seamen 
began to lose courage. They wept, beat their 
breasts, and cried aloud as if they were going to 
instant destruction. Columbus stood steadfast as 
a rock in the ocean, undisturbed by their deafening 
wails, and showing such composure and confidence 
that the cowards plucked up a little courage. He 
made them ashamed of their weakness, and so clearly 
explained to them the honor and profit which they 
would receive at the end of the voyage that all 
were inspired by his words and promised to follow 
wherever he should lead. 

Columbus devoted most of his time on the deck 
of his vessel to the plummet and instruments of 
observation. The plummet, a heavy piece of lead, 
attached to a long rope, was let dow^n into the water 
to ascertain its depth, and thus avoid the danger of 
stranding. The exact location of the vessel at any 
given time was ascertained in Columbus' day by 

[33] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

the astrolabe,^ with the help of the location of the 
stars and their distance from each other. To-day 
mariners have much more perfect instruments for 
observation. Columbus made all his measurements 
and observations himself. He gave only a few hours 
to sleep and rest, in the meantime exhibiting such 
composure as to impress even the weakest of his 
sailors with confidence in him and his undertaking. 
Only to such a man was this great task possible. 
In the hands of a man of less courage, foresight, and 
ability it must have failed. 



1 The astrolabe, an obsolete Instrument, was used for taking the 
altitude of the sun and stars. It was superseded by Hadley's quadrant 
and sextant. 



[34] 



Chapter IV 



Ocean Phenomena^ Unknown to Columbus and His Crew, 
Increase the Fear of the Latter 

ON the second day after leaving the Canary 
Islands they made but eighteen miles, owing 
to light winds. As Columbus foresaw that 
nothing would intimidate his ignorant crew so much 
as the length of the voyage, he decided to play an 
innocent trick upon them by keeping one reckoning 
of distance for himself and another for them. He 
told them therefore that they had sailed only the 
first fifteen miles westward. 

On the twelfth of September, six days after their 
departure, they had sailed one hundred and fifty 
miles to the west of the Canary Island of Ferro. 
On that day they observed the trunk of a great 
tree which evidently had been drifting about a 
long time. The sailors took it for a sign that land 
was not far distant and felt much encouraged, but 
the encouragement did not last long, for after sailing 
about fifteen miles farther a strange thing happened 
which astonished them all and even excited the won- 
dering Columbus — the compass needle, which had 
steadily pointed to the pole star, changed a whole 

[35] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

degree to the west from its customary direction. 
The phenomenon was new to Columbus, as well as 
to his sailors. The latter were greatly excited and 
declared the earth was out of joint, for the needle no 
longer pointed right. The distance which they had 
traversed already seemed to them wellnigh endless 
although their leader insisted that he was not a third 
of a mile out of his reckoning, but now all seemed 
hopeless since the needle, their only guide, had 
abandoned them. Columbus, whose ingenuity in 
discovering methods of reassuring his weak compan- 
ions was inexhaustible, invented a plausible reason 
for this unexpected phenomenon which quieted 
them though it was far from being satisfactory to 
himself. In an ingenious manner he altered the 
action of the compass so that the needle pointed 
right again. 

Hardly had the crew recovered from this shock 
before a new trouble arose. They had come to the 
region of the trade-winds, which were unknown at 
that time. They shuddered as they thought that 
if these winds continued to blow they might never 
reach home again. One unfortunate thing followed 
another. On the sixteenth of September their fear 
was greatly increased. They suddenly observed 
that the ocean, as far as the eye could reach, was 
covered so completely with a green weed that it 
seemed as if they were sailing over a vast meadow.^ 

1 The Sea of Sargasso is so named for the sea-weed, Sargassum bac- 
ciferum, which covers it. It is situated in the North Atlantic Ocean 

[36] 



OCEAN PHENOMENA 

In some places it was so thick they could hardly 
make their way through it. The sailors said to them- 
selves, "We have come to the end of the naviga- 
ble ocean. Under this sea-weed there must be reefs 
and shallows which will wreck our vessels. Why 
should we, wretched unfortunates, longer consent 
to follow this foolhardy leader.?" Columbus again 
quieted them and inspired fresh hope. He said to 
them, "Why should you be troubled about a matter 
which shows that we are now approaching the wished- 
for goal ? Does not vegetation grow by the sea ? Is 
it not certain that we are not far from the shores 
where this sea-weed grew.?" 

The crew was greatly encouraged by his words, 
especially as at the same time various birds were 
seen flying to the west. Fear changed to hope again 
and so they sailed on once more with glad anticipa- 
tion of a fortunate end to their undertaking. 



and is similar in shape to an egg, the large end being toward Florida. 
It reaches from longitude 70 to longitude 40, being about 600 miles 
southwest of the Azores. Its width lies between latitude 20 and lati- 
tude 35. The Bermuda Islands are the only body of land within its 
area, they being near its northwest edge. It is estimated to be about 
130,000 square miles in extent. 



[37] 



Chapter V 

''Land. Landr 



THE hope which the floating sea-weed and the 
flight of birds had aroused among the sea- 
men soon vanished, for, although they had 
now sailed seven hundred and seventy miles to the 
west, no land had yet been seen. Fortunately no 
one except the Admiral knew how to calculate the 
distance. Columbus continued to conceal a con- 
siderable part of it and announced that they had 
sailed five hundred and fifty miles. 

But even this distance from the fatherland seemed 
much too long to them. They began anew to sigh 
and groan and murmur, lamented their credulity 
in accepting Columbus' idle assurances, and uttered 
bitter reproaches against Queen Isabella for having 
allowed them to risk their lives in such a foolhardy 
venture. They resolved that now was the time for 
them to return, in case the incessant east wind did 
not render it impossible, and that their leader must 
be compelled to abandon his scheme. The boldest 
among them even advised throwing him overboard, 
thereby ridding themselves of such a dangerous 
leader, and assured the others that upon their return 

[38] 



LAND, LAND!" 



to Spain a thorough investigation would justify 
them for the death of a man who had toyed with the 
lives of so many. 

Columbus realized the danger hanging over him 
but was not alarmed. Conscious of the over- 
whelming importance of his plans and confiding in 
the protection of the Almighty, he appeared among 
his sailors like one inspired with success. With 
gentle earnestness he rebuked them for their conduct 
and sought in every way his knowledge of human 
nature suggested to rouse their hopes and courage 
anew. At one time he reminded them of their duty 
by cordial and flattering appeals; at another he 
displayed the masterful authority of a leader and 
threatened them with the displeasure of the Queen, 
as well as the severest penalties, if they dared to 
hold back when so near the successful result of a 
glorious achievement. 

It is the prerogative of great spirits to bend the 
hearts of weaker and ordinary men like wax. He 
succeeded in quieting his companions, and the 
heavens themselves aided him. The wind, which 
hitherto had been persistently east, changed to the 
southwest, so that return was impossible even if they 
attempted to carry out their purpose. The Admiral 
called their attention to this and, as many other 
signs of land appeared, fresh hope was awakened 
and they sailed on once more in the name of God. 

On the twenty-fifth of September Martin Alonzo 
Pinzon, commander of the Pinta, which was in the 

[391 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

lead, came alongside of the Admiral's vessel and 
informed him he believed land was only about 
fifteen miles away to the north At the word "land" 
the greatest excitement prevailed. They thanked 
God by singing a Gloria in Excelsis and begged the 
Admiral to change his course and sail to the north- 
ward. But Columbus was convinced Pinzon was 
in error and would not change. He persisted in 
carrying out his plan to keep steadily to the west 
and the result proved he was correct. 

On the following day a multitude of birds were 
seen, which convinced Columbus that they had not 
flown far and that they were evidences of the land 
he was rapidly approaching. The plummet, how- 
ever, indicated a depth of two hundred fathoms 
which conflicted with his conviction, for the depth of 
the sea should diminish with approach to shore. On 
the following evening singing birds lit on the masts, 
remaining there all night, and flying toward the 
west at daybreak. Shortly after this they saw a 
new and remarkable sight — a school of flying-fish 
skimming the surface of the water. Some of them 
fell upon the decks and were picked up by the sea- 
men, who curiously noted the long fins which answer 
for wings. On the same day the sea was covered 
with weeds, another hopeful sign that land was 
near. But the goal seemed to recede day by day, 
and the higher their expectations were raised the 
greater was their disappointment In not realizing 
them. The spirit of unrest and even mutiny broke 

[40] 



LAND, LAND! 



out anew on all three vessels, and even the officers 
sided with the crews against the Admiral. 

Threatened upon every side and forsaken by all, 
Columbus stood amidst the tumult of his excited 
companions like a lone oak in the tempest and com- 
posedly faced the fury of the mutineers who desired 
his death, or, what was tenfold worse than death, 
the abandonment of his project. Once more he 
employed every resource to quiet them but it was 
useless. They cursed him and threatened death if 
he did not at once return to the fatherland. In 
these desperate circumstances he at last realized the 
necessity of compromising with them. Accordingly 
he promised that he would yield to their demands if 
they would obey his orders three days longer. 
Should he not discover land by that time he would 
take them back to Spain. Great as was their anger 
against their leader, they had to acknowledge the 
fairness of the proposition and the agreement was 
made. 

In the meantime Columbus was certain that he 
could not lose, for the signs of land were so numerous 
he was confident he should reach it by the end of the 
stipulated time. For several days the plummet had 
shown decreasing depth and the kind of earth it 
brought up could only come from the near land. 
Whole flocks of birds, which were not capable of 
long flights, flew to the west. Floating branches 
covered with fresh red berries were observed, the air 
grew milder, and the wind, especially at night, was 

[41] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

very changeable. So assured was the Admiral now 
of success that on the following evening he reminded 
the crew of their duty of gratitude to God for their 
protection on this dangerous voyage, and ordered 
that they should lay to, as he was anxious not to 
make a landing at night. He also reminded them 
of the Queen's promise of a bounty of ten thousand 
maravedis to the one who first discovered land, and 
promised to add a like sum to it. The crew re- 
mained on deck all night watching with anxiously 
beating hearts for a sight of land. 

It was two hours before midnight when Columbus, 
standing on the quarter-deck, thought that he saw 
a light in the distance. He called one of the royal 
pages and pointed it out to him as well as to another 
who accompanied him. All three noticed that the 
light moved from one place to another and they 
decided it must be carried by some traveller. 
Columbus was so delighted with this certain proof 
that his great journey was at an end that he did not 
close his eyes that night. 

About two hours after midnight on Friday, 
October 1 2, the loud shout of " Land, land ! " was sent 
up on the Pinta, which was in the advance, and all 
hearts were rejoiced. Between fear and hope they 
waited for the dawn to convince them it was not a 
dream. Every minute seemed an hour, every hour 
a day. At last the eastern sky began to glow. The 
sun rose in splendor and all together the crew of the 
Pijita with joyous voices sang, "Lord, God, we praise 

[42] 



i i 



LAND, LAND! 



Thee." Those on the other vessels joined with them 
in their thankful outburst as the long-loo ked-for land 
lay before their eyes. 

Hardly had the song of gratitude ended when they 
bethought themselves of the duty they owed their 
commander. With overflowing hearts and tearful 
eyes they prostrated themselves at his feet and 
implored his pardon. Wonderful as his steadfast- 
ness had been when confronting their fury, still more 
wonderful was his composure as he overlooked their 
behavior and promised to forget it. 



[43] 



Chapter VI 



Columbus Discovers Several Islands, among them Guana- 
haniy Cuba, and Haiti — Traffic with the Natives 

COLUMBUS first landed upon one of the islands 
commonly known as the Bahamas.^ One of 
them is called Guanahani, and this is the one 
first discovered. Columbus named it San Salvador, 
the Island of Deliverance, but it is no longer known 
by that name. The delighted mariners stood for 
some time and gazed with astonished eyes at a 
part of the world they had never seen before, 
now brightly illuminated by the rising sun. They 
could hardly satisfy themselves with the sight of 
this smiling, fruitful land, interspersed with beautiful 
forests and gracefully winding streams. Columbus 
ordered the boats lowered and, stepping into one, 
was rowed ashore, with banners flying, to the sound 
of martial music, followed by his leaders and an 
armed force. As they neared the shore they ob- 
served a great crowd of natives, who gazed with 
surprise at the European vessels lying together off 
the beach. When they reached land, Columbus, 

^ This island has been variously stated as Turk's Island, Cat Island, 
Mayaquanna, and Watling. The best authorities have decided in 
favor of Watling. 

[44] 



8 




TRAFFIC WITH NATIVES 

richly clad, with drawn sword in hand, was the first 
to step upon the soil of the New World discovered 
by him. His companions knelt, kissed the ground, 
and, still kneeling, vowed obedience to their great 
leader, now Vice-king of the new country. After 
this expression of their joy they set up a crucifix 
on the shore and, kneeling before it, offered thanks 
to God for His mercy. Then with the customary 
ceremonial they took possession in the name of the 
King and Queen of Spain. 

During these ceremonies the natives crowded 
around the Spaniards, gazing in mute astonishment 
now upon the vessels and again upon the extraordi- 
nary beings who had come from them. They saw 
but knew not what they were seeing, for of all the 
ceremonies going on before their eyes they under- 
stood not one. Had these poor creatures known 
what was in store for them they would have filled 
the air with lamentations or have shed their innocent 
blood in defending themselves against these strangers 
whom they now regarded with admiration and awe. 
The longer they stood and gazed the more incom- 
prehensible was everything they saw and heard. 
The white faces of the Europeans, their beards, 
their costume, their weapons, and their actions were 
strange to them. As they heard the roar of cannon 
and rattle of musketry they huddled together as if 
seeking shelter from a thunder storm. They thought 
that these strangers, armed with thunder and 
lightning, were not human but superhuman beings, 

[45] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

children of their divinity, the sun, who had conde- 
scended to visit the earth. Some of them regarded 
the sun, the all-animating, mighty, and beneficent 
orb, as God himself. Others believed in many 
deities with human figures, and the rest were so 
weak mentally that they had no idea of the origin 
of the world and no knowledge of its daily phe- 
nomena. These poor creatures knew nothing of 
a God and lived in ignorance of whence they came 
or of what was to become of them. The Span- 
iards in their turn were as greatly astonished at 
what they beheld as the natives. The shrubs, plants, 
and trees were totally unlike those of Europe. 
The natives seemed to be of an entirely different 
race from them in their physical appearance and 
manner of life. They were of a dark copper color, 
their hair was black and long, their chins beard- 
less, their stature medium, their features strange 
and peculiar, their manner gentle, and their bodies 
strangely marked and painted. Some were almost — 
others completely — naked, except that they wore 
ornaments of feathers, shells, and disks of gold in 
their ears and noses and upon their heads. At 
first they were afraid, but after a little, when they 
were given presents of beads, ribbons, and other 
trifles, they felt so much confidence in their celestial 
guests that toward evening, when the Spaniards 
returned to their vessels, many of them accom- 
panied them in little canoes, hollowed out of the 
trunks of trees, some to gratify their curiosity still 

[46] 



TRAFFIC WITH NATIVES 

further, others to exchange gifts. They gave the 
Spaniards cotton yarn, which they were skilled in 
making, arrows with tips made of fish bone, fruits, 
and parrots of various kinds. They were so eager 
to get the European trifles that they gathered the 
pieces of broken knick-knacks lying upon the deck 
and gladly exchanged twenty-five pounds of cotton 
yarn for a couple of copper coins which were of no 
use to them. The novelty of these articles and the 
fact that they belonged to the white people invested 
them with great value in their esteem. 

On the next day Columbus went ashore again, 
everywhere followed by the natives. He was spe- 
cially anxious to find out where the gold came 
from. They assured him it was not on their island 
but farther south. He decided to act upon this 
information, for he had assured the King of Spain 
and his avaricious Court that his discoveries would 
enrich them. Consequently he went on board again, 
took seven natives with him as guides, and sailed 
southward. He observed several new islands but 
visited only the three largest, which he named Santa 
Maria del Concepcion, Ferdinand, and Isabella. 
But he found no gold there. Every one he asked 
declared it could be found farther south, so he re- 
mained there no longer but sailed south again. 
After a comparatively short voyage he discerned a 
country different from any he had yet seen, not 
only in size but in general character. It was not 
level like the others but had many mountains and 

[47] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

valleys, forests, brooks, and rivers. He was In doubt 
whether it was part of the mainland or a large Island. 
After several days' observations he was convinced 
It was an Island, called by the natives Cuba. He 
came to anchor at the mouth of a large river, as he was 
anxious to get a near view of the people and their 
country. All of them fled to the mountains at sight 
of the vessels, leaving their cabins empty. Only 
one of them had the courage to row out In a small 
skiff and go aboard. After his confidence had been 
secured by some little gifts, Columbus sent two 
Spaniards and one of the natives of GuanahanI whom 
he had taken with him to learn something about the 
region and conciliate the natives, for he was very 
anxious they should not flee every time they saw 
the vessels. The two Spaniards proceeded Inland 
about twelve miles and upon their return submitted 
the following report to the Admiral: 

"We found a great part of the country under cul- 
tivation and exceedingly productive. Indian corn or 
maize and a kind of root, which, when baked, tastes 
like bread, grows in the fields. We came at last to 
a village of at least fifty wooden dwellings and about 
a thousand people. The leaders came out to meet 
us and when they heard we had natives on board 
and what kind-of people we were, they embraced us 
and conducted us to their largest house. We sat 
upon chairs shaped like an animal. Its tail serving 
for the back and Its eyes and ears fashioned of gold. 
When we were seated the natives sat near us on the 

[48] 



TRAFFIC WITH NATIVES 

floor, kissed our hands and feet, and paid us such 
homage it was easy to see they thought we were 
superhuman and celestial beings. They gave us 
to eat of their baked root, which had the flavor of 
chestnuts. We noticed that all who waited upon us 
were men. After a little they withdrew and several 
women entered, who bestowed the same marks of 
homage as the men. When at last we made ready 
to return, many of the natives asked permission to 
accompany us, but we declined, taking with us only 
the King and his son, who have come with us as a 
special mark of honor." 

The Admiral expressed his gratitude to the two 
and entertained them on board his vessel most 
hospitably. In reply to inquiries as to the locality 
of the gold country they pointed to the east, but 
could not understand why white men should be so 
eager to find a metal which to them was valueless 
except as an ornament. The whites wondered still 
more at the simplicity of these people. Columbus 
shortened his stay, as he was anxious to start in the 
direction they had indicated and search for the 
much coveted gold In a country which was called 
Haiti by the natives. 

Columbus left Cuba November 19 and took 
twelve of the natives with him with the intention 
of carrying them to Spain when he returned. They 
left their fatherland without much regret, for he 
had left nothing undone to make their condition 
agreeable. As the winds were contrary and Colum- 

[49] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

bus' large vessel could make only slow progress, 
Alonzo Pinzon, captain of the Pinta, having the 
swiftest of the ships, determined to slip away from 
the Admiral, get to the gold country first, and fill 
his sacks before the rest got there. Columbus 
knew Pinzon's purpose and signalled him to wait, but 
Pinzon paid no heed and sailed away as fast as he 
could to satisfy his greed for gold. 

The Admiral had to submit to what he could not 
change but, as it soon became so stormy that it was 
dangerous to keep out to sea, he was forced to 
return to Cuba and anchor again in a secure harbor. 
He passed the time in making closer observations 
of the country and the natives. He noticed one 
peculiarity in their eating, which at first disgusted 
the Spaniards. They were particularly fond of a 
kind of large spider, worms which they found in 
rotting wood, and half cooked fish, which they ate 
ravenously. After a little some of the Spaniards 
tried to eat them but had to abandon the experi- 
ment. As soon as the weather favored, Columbus 
started anew to seek for Haiti and his faithless 
comrade, Pinzon. He had but sixteen miles to go 
and was soon there. He arrived at Haiti December 
6, and named the island Hispaniola, or Little Spain. 
Upon his arrival the natives fled to the woods and 
nothing was seen or heard of the Pinta. The Ad- 
miral shortly left the harbor Into which he had run 
and began a cruise along the coast to the north. He 
soon reached another harbor and there his desire 

[so] 



TRAFFIC WITH NATIVES 

to get acquainted with the natives was gratified. 
In general appearance and habits they resembled 
the natives of Guanahani and Cuba. They went 
unclad, were copper colored, and were simple, gentle, 
and ignorant like the others. They also thought 
the Spaniards were not human but celestial beings. 
They wore more gold ornaments than the others 
and cared so little for gold that they willingly 
exchanged it for beads, pins, bells, and other trifles. 
But when Columbus inquired for the place where it 
was to be found, they pointed to the east, so once 
more he set sail in the hope of finding the source of 
this inexhaustible treasure. 



SI 



Chapter VII 



Prince Guakanahari — The Admirars Vessel Wrecked — 
Forty-three Men Remain Behind — The Return Voyage 
Begins 

WHILE the ships were lying at anchor in an 
inlet of the same island of Hispaniola the 
cacique who ruled that region heard of the 
arrival of these wonderful white men and conde- 
scended to make the Admiral a visit. His retinue 
was quite imposing. He himself was borne in a 
litter by four men, his princely body almost as des- 
titute of clothing as those of his dependents. 

The cacique went on board without the slightest 
hesitation and, observing that the Admiral was 
seated at table, entered the cabin, accompanied by 
two old men who appeared to be his councillors, 
and sat down familiarly but respectfully by the side 
of Columbus, the old men reclining at his feet. 
The Admiral offered him food and wine, which he 
tasted, sending what was left to his people on deck. 
After the meal was finished he presented the Admiral 
with some gold ornaments and a skilfully made girdle, 
Columbus, in turn, presenting him a string of amber 
beads and a pair of red slippers, besides a rug and 
a flask of orange-flower water. The cacique was so 

[52] 



PRINCE GUAKANAHARI 

delighted that he assured Columbus everything in 
his country was at Columbus' disposal. 

The attitude of the cacique toward his own people 
was very stately but with the Spaniards he was 
quite familiar. He paid close attention to every- 
thing and expressed great admiration for all that 
he saw. Toward evening he expressed the desire 
to go ashore again. His wish was gratified and, the 
more deeply to impress him, the Admiral saluted 
his departure with cannon. Thereupon he declared 
they must be of heavenly origin for they could 
control the thunder and lightning. The awe with 
which his servants regarded them was so great that 
they kissed the footprints left by the Spaniards. 
As the cacique's country, however, did not contain 
the rich gold mines, which were now the only object 
of Columbus' quest, he weighed anchor again and 
sailed still farther eastward. 

All the information received by Columbus was 
to the effect that the gold was in a mountainous 
country ruled by a powerful cacique. Thither he 
hastened but, had he known of the serious disaster 
which was to happen on his short voyage, he would 
have given up the gold itself rather than pay such 
a heavy cost for the effort of finding it. On this 
voyage they came to a cape, where the sea was so 
calm they might easily have anchored a short dis- 
tance from shore. He had not slept for two days and 
nature at last claimed her rights. Entrusting the 
tiller to a helmsman, he urged him to be careful, and 

[S3] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

went below to take a little rest. Hardly had he 
fallen asleep before the careless sailors imitated his 
example, deserted their posts, and went to sleep 
also. Even the helmsman, who thought there was 
no danger in such quiet waters, disregarded his su- 
perior's orders, turned his duties over to an igno- 
rant cabin-boy, and went to sleep. This boy was 
the only one awake on the vessel. While all were 
sleeping the ship was driven by a strong current 
toward the shore. A sudden shock forced the tiller 
from the boy's hands. Awakened by his shouts, 
Columbus rushed upon deck, saw the rocks, and 
instantly knew that the vessel had struck upon them. 
There was immediate confusion. Columbus alone 
kept his presence of mind and made preparations 
to save the vessel. He ordered a boat's crew to 
drop anchor at some distance away so that they 
might, if possible, warp it off the rocks. The boat's 
crew were so frightened, however, that his orders 
were not obeyed. They thought only of their own 
safety and rowed to the Nina. Its commander, 
however, refused to take on board the men who had 
been so forgetful of duty as to leave their commander 
in the lurch. Columbus in the meantime cut the 
masts and threw everything overboard that was 
useless, hoping to lighten the vessel, but its keel 
was split and the water poured in so fast and con- 
tinuously that at length the Admiral and crew 
abandoned it and rowed to the Nina, 

On the next morning he sent a message to "the 

[54] 



PRINCE GUAKANAHARI 

cacique telling him of the disaster which had 
occurred and asking the assistance of his people in 
saving the valuables on board the wrecked vessel. 
The cacique, whose name was Guakanahari, was 
greatly distressed by the news and, shedding tears 
over it, hastened to the relief of the unfortunate 
Europeans, accompanied by many of his people. 
These kindly natives did not improve the oppor- 
tunity to steal but exerted themselves to the utmost 
to save everything. They collected a number of 
canoes and, by their united exertions, everything of 
importance was taken ashore. The noble Guaka- 
nahari took charge of the valuables and from time 
to time sent one of his kinsmen, who implored Colum- 
bus with tearful eyes not to grieve, for the cacique 
would give him all he had if it were necessary. The 
latter took the valuables to his own house and 
stationed a strong guard to watch them until they 
should be needed by Columbus, although it seemed 
unnecessary, for the natives deplored the disaster 
as keenly as if it had happened to themselves. In 
the report which Columbus made to the Court of 
Spain he paid a glowing tribute to these noble 
natives. "In reality. Your Majesty," he said, 
"these people are so gentle and peaceful, I can 
assure you there can be no better people in the 
world. They love their neighbors as themselves. 
Their demeanor is always pleasant and agreeable. 
They are invariably cheerful and kind and they 
speak to you with a smile. Though it is true that 

[55] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

they go naked, Your Majesty may be assured 
that they are modest and exemplary in their habits. 
Their King is treated with the highest respect and 
he himself is so noble and generous that it is a great 
pleasure to have known him. He and his people 
will always live in my pleasant memory." 

When Guakanahari discovered how fond of gold 
the Europeans were, he made them many golden 
presents to console them for their misfortune and 
promised to get more for them from a place he called 
Cibao.i Many of his people also brought gold and 
were delighted to exchange it for European knick- 
knacks. One of them, holding a large piece in one 
hand, extended the other to a Spaniard, who placed 
a bell in it. The native dropped the gold and fled, 
thinking he had cheated the white man and would 
be looked upon as a thief. 

The Spaniards now began to enjoy their stay 
there but in the meantime Columbus was harassed 
by anxiety night and day. His best vessel was lost. 
The faithless Pinzon had deserted him. The only 
one of his vessels left was so small and poorly built 
that it would not accommodate his men nor was it 
sufficiently seaworthy for the long return voyage. 
At last he decided that he would take a few men and 
try to go back, notwithstanding all dangers, so that 
the news of his discovery should reach the Court, 
and leave the others as colonists in Hispaniola. His 

1 Cibao is a mountainous region in the central part of San Domingo. 
Columbus supposed it to be the Japan of Marco Polo. 

[56] 



PRINCE GUAKANAHARI 

decision was universally approved and a sufficient 
number expressed their willingness to remain. The 
cacique was greatly pleased when he learned that 
the celestial visitants were going to remain and 
protect him and his people against their enemies. 
According to his statement a savage, warlike race, 
called Caribs, lived on certain islands to the south- 
east. From time to time, he asserted, his country 
was invaded by them and, as his people were too 
weak to resist them and dared not remain in their 
vicinity, they had to flee to the mountains. ^ 

Columbus promised to protect them and, to im- 
press them with his power, ordered his people to 
perform some military manoeuvres in their presence. 
They were greatly astonished, but when the cannon 
which had been taken off the wrecked vessel were 
fired, they were so frightened that they threw them- 
selves upon the ground and covered their faces. 
Guakanahari himself was greatly alarmed and his 
fear was not allayed until Columbus assured him 
that the thunder should harm only his enemies. 
That he might fully realize its destructive effect he 
aimed a cannon at the wrecked vessel and fired. 
The ball went through It and struck the water on 
the other side. This sight so amazed the cacique 
that he went home, being firmly convinced his guests 

^ The Caribs occupied Guiana and the region of the Orinoco and 
conquered the Caribbean Islands. Their descendants live in Hon- 
duras and Nicaragua. Our word "cannibal" is a corruption of 
"Carib." 

[57] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

were from the skies and that they controlled the 
thunder and lightning. 

Several days were now spent in the erection of a 
small fort and the kindly natives lent all possible 
assistance, little dreaming, however, that they were 
forging the fetters which one day would bind them. 
Whenever the Admiral was on shore the cacique 
lavished favors upon him which he generously 
requited. Once he received Columbus with a 
golden crown on his head and conducted him to a 
richly decorated house. Then he took off the crown 
and with great reverence placed it upon Columbus. 
The latter took a necklace of small pearls which he 
was wearing and placed it around the cacique's 
neck. Then he took off his handsome cloak and put 
it on the Prince, and placed a silver ring upon his 
finger. Not content with this, he drew off a pair 
of red buskins and gave them to him. With this 
interchange of tokens of good-will a bond of friend- 
ship was established between them. 

The fort was finished in ten days and Columbus 
selected forty-three men who were to garrison it 
under command of the nobleman, Diego de Cerana. 
He ordered them to render him absolute obedience 
to preserve the good-will of Guakanahari and his 
people in every way and to acquaint themselves with 
their language. The place where he left them he 
named La Navldad. 

After this, Columbus went on board the little 
vessel and on January 4, 1493, weighed anchor. A 

[58] 



PRINCE GUAKANAHARI 

bold venture! In a small, unseaworthy vessel he 
determined to recross the vast and still little 
known ocean. To remove every vestige of doubt 
at the suspicious Court and convince the King of 
the truth of his discoveries, he took with him as 
evidence not only gold but several of the natives, 
besides unknown birds of various species. On 
his voyage eastward he kept his course for some 
time along the coast of Hispaniola to get a view of 
the adjacent region. On the second day he saw a 
vessel in the distance. He at once sailed in its 
direction and found it to be the vessel of the faith- 
less Pinzon, of which he had had no trace for six 
weeks. Pinzon came on board and tried to convince 
Columbus it was all the fault of stormy weather 
which had driven him out to sea. Columbus knew 
this was false but, naturally magnanimous, he 
affected to believe it and took him into his favor, 
highly pleased that the results of his great discoveries 
no longer depended upon the safety of one small 
vessel. Pinzon also had been cruising along the 
coast of Hispaniola but in a diflferent direction, 
bartering for gold. 



[59 



Chapter Fill 



The Return Voyage — Storm on the Way — Arrival at the 
Azores, Lisbon, and Palos 

AFRESH west wind, which fortunately had 
sprung up, carried the vessels swiftly along 
and the joyful crews already fancied them- 
selves in Spain telling their astonished listeners the 
story of the wonders of the New World. Then 
suddenly a storm cloud arose in the western sky. 
The storm rapidly approached. It grew darker 
and darker and the frightened sailors, in anxious 
expectancy of what might happen, stood around the 
deck watching the Admiral who, with his customary 
composure, issued the necessary orders. 

Now the waves of the broad ocean began to rise, 
the vessels were tossed about, the cordage rattled, 
and the wind howled fearfully through the rigging. 
It lightened, then again was dark as night. It 
thundered and a tempest of rain beat upon the 
tossing vessels. The storm burst upon them in 
all its fury. The lightning flashed, the thunders 
crashed, the waves rushed along, the winds howled, 
and the reeling vessels were now hurled high in air 
by the mighty billows and now plunged into deep 
abysses. The sailors were overcome with fear. 

[60] 



I 



THE RETURN VOYAGE 

Some of them fell upon their knees and prayed with 
uplifted hands that their lives might be spared. 
Others stood or lay prostrate, paralyzed with fright, 
and appeared more dead than alive; still others 
sought shelter in superstitions and promised if 
Heaven would save them they would make a bare- 
footed pilgrimage to some church dedicated to the 
Virgin in the first Christian country they reached. 
They were really in a desperate plight. They swung 
as it were between death and life and every moun- 
tainous wave which lifted them upon its mighty 
crest and hurled them down again into the watery 
abyss seemed to them the messenger of their doom. 
In vain Columbus sought to employ every means 
of safety suggested by his skill and experience; in 
vain he tried to encourage them and to rouse them 
to activity. They were soulless bodies capable of 
no effort while the storm raged on with irresistible 
fury. At last, when he was convinced that human 
help was impossible, he betook himself with sorrow- 
ing heart to his cabin to provide in some way that his 
great discoveries should not be lost to the world. 
Nothing troubled him so much as the thought 
that the important intelligence he was taking to 
Europe might be lost. It pierced his great heart 
like a sharp two-edged sword and moved him to 
think not so much of himself and his own safety 
as of some means to avert what in his estimation 
was the greatest of calamities. With death staring 
him in the face this unterrified man was still capable 

[6il 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

of thinking clearly and quietly, of formulating con- 
cise decisions, and putting them into effect. 

Columbus took a parchment, inscribed upon it 
an account of his discoveries, wrapped it in oil- 
cloth and sealed it with wax. This packet he placed 
in a well protected cask and threw it into the ocean, 
hoping it would be washed ashore where some one 
was living who would open it and thus become 
acquainted with his discoveries. Some time after 
this he fastened a second cask with a similar pack- 
age to the stern of his vessel so that it should go 
with him if the vessel went down with him and his 
people. 

In the meantime, to increase the terror of the 
frightful death which menaced the crew every mo- 
ment, the darkest and most cruel of all nights came 
on. No mild stars, such as bring hope to the despair- 
ing, shone in the heavens. Sky and sea were envel- 
oped in dense darkness and the raging hurricane 
continued without the least abatement of its fury. 
Thus they alternated between life and death, only 
half alive. But the dreadful night passed at last 
and in the first glimmer of dawn, to the unspeakable 
delight of the wretched crew, land was seen in the 
distance. The Azores lay before their eyes but, as 
the storm had not yet abated, Columbus could not 
get near the shore. They had longed for a speedy 
landing but, in view of the danger, they found it 
necessary to hold off for four days. The Pinta 
had disappeared and it was uncertain whether it 

[62] 



THE RETURN VOYAGE 

had gone down or whether Pinzon had taken advan- 
tage of the storm and the darkness to forsake the 
Admiral and- reach Spain with the first news of the 
discoveries. At last the storm subsided and Colum- 
bus lost no time in coming to anchor. Several 
Portuguese came to the vessel and offered food for 
sale and inquired whence they had come and whither 
they proposed to go. 

Learning from them that there was an oratory of 
the Virgin not far from the shore, Columbus per- 
mitted half of his men to land and fulfil the promise 
they had made. He himself had grown lame in 
both hips owing to his long watching and painful 
exertions and had to remain on board, but he ordered 
them to return as soon as possible so that the others 
might go ashore and perform their vows also. They 
promised to obey him, disrobed themselves, and went 
barefooted to the oratory. Several hours passed but 
none of them came back. He waited hour after 
hour but no one appeared. At last it was night 
and still no one came. He grew suspicious but, 
to learn the true state of affairs, had to wait until 
morning. Morning came and then he was aston- 
ished to discover that the Portuguese had over- 
powered the pilgrims and placed them under arrest. 
Columbus was extremely indignant at this treacher- 
ous conduct and, as his protests were useless, he at 
last threatened that he would not sail until he had 
taken a hundred Portuguese prisoners and laid 
waste the island. His threat made an impression 

[63] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

upon them. They sent messengers to inquire in the 
name of the governor whether he and his vessels 
were in the service of the Spanish court. When 
Columbus had convinced them of this by his letter 
of credentials they released the prisoners. The gov- 
ernor, it is said, had instructions from his King to 
seize the person of Columbus, if he could, and im- 
prison him and his people and then quietly take 
possession of the countries discovered by him. But as 
this could not be done, because Columbus remained 
on board, he thought it wiser to give up the prison- 
ers and pretend that they had not known they were 
Spaniards. Delighted with the fortunate settlement 
of this troublesome business, Columbus again set sail, 
pleased with the prospect that all hardships and dan- 
gers were ended. But Heaven had decreed that his 
steadfastness must once more be tested. 

The fearful storm broke out anew, the vessel was 
driven from its course, the sails were torn, the masts 
wavered, and at every shock of the waves the de- 
spairing crew expected to be lost. In this desperate 
condition, which had now lasted two days, the crew 
suddenly perceived rocks, upon which the old and 
shattered vessel- was being driven. Had it continued 
in that direction a moment longer it would have 
been destroyed, but Columbus' presence of mind 
did not forsake him in this appalling crisis. A 
skilful turn which he made at just the right time 
saved the vessel and all on board. He soon recog- 
nized that he was on the Portuguese coast and 

[641 



THE RETURN VOYAGE 

certainly at the mouth of the Tagus, so he decided 
to come to anchor. 

At daybreak he sent messengers, one to Madrid 
to notify the King of Spain of his safe arrival, the 
other to the King of Portugal at Lisbon to ask per- 
mission to come up the Tagus to the city and repair 
his vessel. Permission being granted, he sailed 
without delay to Lisbon. The news of the approach 
of the famous vessel rapidly spread through the 
city, and all who could, ran to the harbor. The 
shore was crowded with people and the river with 
boats, for every one was eager to see the wonder- 
ful man who had achieved such an extraordinary un- 
dertaking. Some thanked God for the favor He had 
shown the bold navigator, others deplored the mis- 
fortune of their fatherland in rejecting his services. 
The King of Portugal himself could not now refuse 
to pay his respects to Columbus notwithstanding his 
deep regret that by this man's discoveries Spain 
would greatly increase its power and secure posses- 
sions which, but for the folly of his advisers, he 
might have had. He ordered his subjects to pay 
Columbus all possible honor, to provide his men with 
subsistence, and also wrote a very complimentary 
letter, inviting him to call upon him. Columbus 
hastened to accept the royal invitation. Upon his 
arrival the entire Court, by command of the King, 
went out to meet him. During the interview the 
King insisted that Columbus should speak sitting, 
and with covered head, and displayed a lively in- 

[6s] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

terest in the account of the discoveries and sought 
by flattering appeals to induce him to engage in his 
service. It was in vain, however. He might have 
offered him half of his kingdom without causing 
him to waver in his devotion to the Court to which 
he had dedicated his services. After a courteous 
withdrawal and the necessary repairs to his vessel 
he again set sail for the same Spanish port (March 
15) which he had left seven months and eleven 
days before. 



[66 



Chapter IX 



Columbus* Second Journey in 1493 — Several Islands Dis- 
covered — The Spaniards Find their Fort Destroyed 
and the Colonists Dead 



HARDLY had the news of Columbus' ap- 
proach reached Palos before the people 
rushed to the harbor to see with their own 
eyes whether it was true. As the vessel drew near 
and they recognized upon its deck, one his son, 
another his brother, a third his friend, and a fourth 
her husband, a universal outburst of joy rent the 
air, thousands of arms were outstretched in welcome 
to the loved strangers, and thousands more shed 
tears of joy. 

As Columbus stepped ashore he was greeted by 
the roar of cannon, the jubilant clang of bells, and 
the enthusiastic shouts of the multitude. Unmoved 
by what would have turned the heads of ordinary 
men, he made it his first duty to declare that the 
fortunate outcome of his great undertaking was due 
not to himself but to God. He went immediately to 
the church in which he had implored the divine favor 
before his departure, accompanied by his sailors 
and all the people. After publicly acknowledging 
his obligations to the Almighty, he proceeded to 

[67] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

Barcelona, a city in Catalonia, where the King and 
Queen of Spain were holding Court. Pinzon had 
arrived at another Spanish port several days before 
Columbus, with the intention of being the first to 
announce the news to the Court, but the King had 
ordered him not to appear except in the company 
of Columbus. Thereupon the conceited Pinzon was 
so disappointed that he fell ill and died in a few days. 

At every place along his route Columbus was 
welcomed by extraordinary multitudes from the 
neighboring regions and heard his name pass ad- 
miringly from mouth to mouth. At last he reached 
Barcelona, where the King and Queen impatiently 
awaited him. The whole Court household went 
out to pay him honor. The streets were so densely 
crowded that it was almost impossible for him to 
make his way. The procession moved in the follow- 
ing order: Several Indians, in their native costumes, 
whom Columbus had taken with him, were in the 
advance; behind them, men carried the gold plates, 
gold-dust, and gold ornaments which he had brought; 
then followed others with samples of the products 
of the newly discovered region, such as balls of cotton 
yarn, chests of pepper, parrots carried upon long 
reeds, stuffed animals, and a multitude of other 
objects which had never been seen in Europe before; 
at last came Columbus himself, the cynosure of all 
eyes. 

To pay especial honor to Columbus Their Majesties 
had caused a magnificent throne to be erected in 

[68] 



COLUMBUS' SECOND JOURNEY 

the public square where they awaited him. As 
he approached them with the intention of kneeling 
as usual at the foot of the throne, the King extended 
his hand to him to be kissed and requested him to 
sit by his side upon a chair placed there for him. 
Thereupon he modestly told the story of his dis- 
coveries and displayed the proofs of them in the 
objects he had brought. When he had finished his 
story, both Their Majesties and the multitude of 
assembled spectators knelt and thanked God that 
these great discoveries, so rich in advantage to 
Spain, had been made in their day. Thereupon 
all the honors which Columbus had asked as reward 
were granted. He and his whole family were en- 
nobled, and whenever the King rode out, the much- 
loved Admiral rode at his bridle, an honor which 
up to that time had been enjoyed only by princes 
and the royal family. But what pleased him most 
was the royal order that an entire fleet for a second 
expedition should be equipped. 

In the meantime the King sent an ambassador to 
Rome praying the Pope that he would confirm the 
Spaniards in possession of the newly discovered 
regions and all that might yet be discovered by them 
in the ocean. The Pope, Alexander VI, drew upon a 
globe a line of demarcation from one pole to another, 
at a distance of a hundred miles from the Azores, 
and issued a bull declaring that all land discovered 
beyond that line should belong to Spain. At that 
time it was the rule that a prince could hold pos- 

[69] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

session of a newly discovered country only when 
the Pope, as the divine representative upon earth, 
had confirmed It. 

The fleet was fitted out so rapidly that in a short 
time seventeen excellent vessels waited at Cadiz in 
readiness to sail. The desire to secure possessions 
and honor induced an incredible number of men of 
all classes to apply for participation in the expedition, 
but Columbus, not being able to accommodate all 
of them, selected fifteen hundred and paid special 
attention to the provisioning of the fleet and the 
procuring of all articles necessary to colonization. 
All sorts of implements were provided, besides ani- 
mals unknown in the new world, such as horses, 
mules, and cows, all the European species of corn, and 
seeds of many herbs and plants which he believed 
would grow in that latitude. As he still labored 
under the delusion that the region discovered by 
him was a part of India, he gave it the name of West 
Indies to distinguish it from the real India, because 
to reach it he had to sail west from Europe. The 
Indies lying to the eastward were at that time called 
the East Indies. 

Everything being ready, the fleet set sail from Cadiz 
September 25, 1493. Columbus at first directed his 
course toward the Canary Islands and arrived there 
October 5. There he took aboard fresh water, wood, 
and cattle, besides some swine, and set sail again from 
Ferro, October 13. In twenty days, aided by favor- 
ing winds, the fleet had covered a distance of eight 

[70] 



COLUMBUS' SECOND JOURNEY 

hundred miles. On the second of November, 
thirty-six days after their departure from Spain, the 
fleet came to anchor off an island which Columbus 
named Dominica, because he discovered it on the 
Sunday which in the later Latin was called ^'Dies 
Dominica," or the "Day of the Lord." Dominica is 
one of the Lesser Antilles or Caribbean Islands. As 
he could not find good anchorage there he sailed 
farther on and shortly discovered several other 
islands, some of them of considerable size, such as 
Marie Galante, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Porto Rico, 
and St. Martin. 

Upon Guadeloupe they observed a magnificent 
waterfall plunging over a lofty and jagged cliff with 
a roar that could be heard three miles away. At 
first no natives were visible, as they had deserted 
their huts and fled to the mountains. At last some 
of the Spaniards who had been sent out brought in 
two boys who asserted they were not born on the 
island but had been forcibly carried away, by these 
natives, from a neighboring island. Soon six women 
were found who piteously implored help, saying that 
they had been seized and condemned to slavery. 
The dreadful news was learned from them that the 
natives of this island were in the habit of roasting 
and eating male prisoners taken in their battles, 
and that the women were carried off by them not- 
withstanding their piteous appeals. Columbus 
found that what these women and the cacique, 
Guakanaharl, had told him previously of the bar- 

[71] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

barous practices of these islanders, was true. Al- 
most everywhere that he landed he met with a 
hostile reception and everywhere he found traces 
of the inhuman practice of cannibalism. With hor- 
ror they saw the bones and skulls of slaughtered 
human beings lying around almost every dwell- 
ing. This and his desire as soon as possible to 
gladden the Spaniards who had been left at His- 
paniola, induced Columbus not to remain longer 
at these newly discovered islands, especially as it 
was useless to try to communicate with the na- 
tives. He resumed his voyage therefore and, on 
the twenty-first of the same month, safely arrived 
at a spot which was only a day's journey from 
Fort Navidad. 

Some of the crew sent ashore returned with the 
alarming news that they had found the dead bodies 
of two men on the beach fastened to a piece of 
wood in the shape of a cross. They could not decide 
whether they were Europeans or natives as decom- 
position had made them unrecognizable. This 
news made Columbus anxious as to what might 
be disclosed on the following day. He passed a 
restless night and as soon as the morning broke 
hastened to discover whether his fears were ground- 
less or not. As he approached the heights of La 
Navidad he sprang into a boat and was rowed to 
the shore. How great was his astonishment not to 
find the Spaniards he had left there nor the fort 
they had erected, only some fragments of it, torn 

[72] 



COLUMBUS' SECOND JOURNEY 

clothes, broken weapons, and utensils! The sight 
told him all and, as further evidence of the dreadful 
fate of the vanished colonists, eleven corpses were 
found a little distance away, showing the signs of 
murder. As they were deploring the fate of these 
unfortunates and considering plans of revenge, the 
brother of Guakanahari met them and gave them a 
detailed account of the calamity. 

It was substantially as follows: Hardly had 
Columbus sailed when the men left behind disre- 
garded the excellent advice and the instructions 
he had given them. Instead of treating the natives 
in a kindly manner they became so unjust and 
practised so many excesses that the natives, who had 
regarded these white men as celestial visitors, found 
that they not only were not better but were much 
worse than the dark-skinned men. The white 
commander attempted to restrain them but they 
paid no heed to his orders or his warnings, refused 
to obey him, and overran the island, committing 
robberies and deeds of violence. At last they began 
to ravage the territory of the cacique of Cibao, where 
the gold was found. Infuriated by their atrocities, 
he and his people at last took up arms and over- 
powered them, then surrounded the fort and fired 
it. Some of the Spaniards were killed In its defence, 
others took to their boats but were soon drowned. 
He further stated that his brother, who had remained 
faithful, notwithstanding all these outrages, took 
up arms for the Spaniards but received a wound in 

[73] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

a battle with the cacique of Cibao and was still 
suffering from it. 

Columbus' men were eager to take a bloody 
revenge but he was too wise and humane to consent 
to any such scheme. He tried to convince them how 
necessary it was to the safety of this island and the 
new colony to conciliate and secure the good-will 
of the natives. He visited Guakanahari and found 
him still suffering from a wound made not with 
European but native weapons. The loyal, stead- 
fast conduct of the cacique confirmed the truth of 
his story. He also sought to convince Columbus 
in every possible way of his unswerving loyalty and 
presented him with eight hundred little shells upon 
which the natives set a high value, besides a hundred 
gold plates, and three gourds filled with grains of 
gold, for all of which Columbus gave him several 
European trifles. 

After this, Columbus conducted his people to a 
more comfortable and healthier region where, near 
the mouth of a little stream, he decided to establish 
a regularly fortified city in which those remaining 
would have a safe and convenient dwelling-place. 
No one was allowed to be an idle spectator. By 
the united efforts of so many hands the first little 
city built by Europeans in the New World arose and 
was named Isabella by Columbus, in honor of his 
Queen. 



74 



Chapter X 



New Discoveries — Columbus in Great Danger — Uprising 
of the Natives 

DURING the building of the city of Isabella 
Columbus had to contend with a thousand 
difficulties which only a spirit like his could 
overcome. The Spaniards, who were naturally 
lazy, became still less inclined to put forth unneces- 
sary exertion in that hot climate, and loudly protested 
against a manner of life the demands of which they 
had not foreseen. They had gone there with glow- 
ing expectations of securing great treasures and had 
been promised an easy, pleasant life, whereas they 
had to toil day after day with hired men in the 
blazing sunshine. Again, the unhealthy atmosphere 
induced sickness and little by little a deprivation of 
those necessities of life which were indispensable to 
these European weaklings. Where were the golden 
mountains which, it was promised them, they should 
visit? They had no chance to go, for the Admiral 
was fully determined to complete the work of build- 
ing the city before he allowed them to penetrate the 
interior of the island. 

These were the causes of the discontent which 
increased day by day and at last led to a conspiracy 

[7S] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

against the life of Columbus. Fortunately the 
fire was discovered while it was still smouldering. 
The ringleaders were overpowered, some of them 
were punished, and others were sent to Spain to be 
made an example of. At the same time Columbus 
besought the King to send him speedily reinforce- 
ments of men, besides fresh stocks of provisions. 
In the meantime, to remove the dissatisfaction and 
quell the mutinous spirit of his men, he allowed a 
part of them to make an inland expedition under 
command of the chevalier Ojeda, and later he con- 
ducted one himself, to impress the natives with the 
sight of a European military force. With this end 
in view he marched his men in close ranks, with 
banners flying and with field music playing, and also 
had his cavalry execute manoeuvres which astonished 
the natives who had never seen horses before and 
thought horse and rider were one. The Indians 
fled to their cabins when they beheld the Spaniards 
and imagined themselves secure when they had 
fastened the entrances with fragile bamboos. Their 
route lay through the gold region of Cibao. All 
that the natives had said about this region was 
found correct. The mines were not worked, for the 
natives would make no effort to find a metal for which 
they had no use, but in every stream the Span- 
iards found gold grains which the water had loos- 
ened from the mountains and washed down. 

Delighted with their discovery the Spaniards re- 
turned to Isabella. The city was in a wretched plight, 

[76] 



NEW DISCOVERIES 



the means of subsistence were fast disappearing, for 
the work of building had left no time for culti- 
vating the land, and sickness was rapidly spreading 
in that hot, unhealthy region. Fortunately this 
was not the first time Columbus had had to strug- 
gle against difficulties. Previous experience had in- 
creased his skill in overcoming them and the repeated 
dangers to which he had been exposed had made 
him all the more resolute and steadfast in meeting 
each new one. Once more he set about overcoming 
these and restoring quiet. As soon as this was 
accomplished he decided to go in quest of new 
discoveries. Appointing his second brother, Don 
Diego, regent, and placing Pedro de Margrite in 
command of those remaining behind as captain- 
general, he himself, with one large and two small 
vessels, or caravels, put out to sea and sailed to the 
west. The first important discovery on this voyage 
was the island of Jamaica. As soon as he had come 
to anchor he sent a boat's crew to ascertain whether 
there was sufficient depth of water for him to enter 
the harbor. The crew soon encountered a great 
number of canoes filled with armed natives who 
strove to prevent a landing. As they could not 
effect it peaceably they greeted them with such a 
shower of arrows that the crew had to. retreat. 
As the harbor eventually was found secure Columbus 
entered it, made some repairs on his vessels, and 
spent the rest of the time in examining the country. 
Its conditions seemed to him superior to those of 

[77] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

Hispaniola. He made no delay, therefore, in taking 
possession of it in the name of the King of Spain. 
From there he sailed to Cuba to see whether that 
country, previously discovered by him, was an island 
or part of the mainland. In doing this he encoun- 
tered a succession of dangerous mishaps, compared 
with which his previous ones were insignificant. 
He met with a terrible storm in the most dangerous 
part of a region entirely unknown to him. He found 
himself in the midst of rocks and sand bars which 
threatened the instant destruction of his vessels. 
He also ran into shallows which made his vessels 
leak so badly that it required the exertion of his entire 
crew at the pumps to keep them from sinking. He 
also had to contend with the dangers of hunger and 
thirst, and, if by chance they secured subsistence, 
he was the last to avail himself of it, as he was more 
solicitous for his companions than for himself. He 
also had to struggle against the dissatisfaction and 
despondency of his men, who assailed him with 
reproaches though he had shared so courageously 
all their deprivations and dangers. 

At various landings which he made in Cuba he 
learned from the natives that it was an island. In 
some places the air was so full of birds and butter- 
flies that the sun was obscured and the day was 
as dark as if there were a storm. At the north 
side of the island they found the ocean thickly filled 
with little, low Islands, to which he gave the general 
name of the Queen's Garden. Among these islands 

[78] 



NEW DISCOVERIES 



they met a canoe filled with fishermen who came on 
board the Admiral's vessel to make him a present 
of their catch. In return Columbus made them 
some little presents to ensure their friendship. 

The unceasing and almost superhuman wear of 
mind and body at last seriously affected his health. 
Utterly exhausted and unable to sleep, he fell into a 
lethargy which deprived him of sense and memory. 
Fearing that he might not recover, they hastened 
to get back to Isabella as best they could. There 
he found a remedy for his troubles more potent 
then any physicians could provide. His favorite 
brother, Bartolomeo, who had been sent by the King 
with more men and supplies, had arrived. Thus 
he had double cause for joy. These two brothers, 
who were devotedly attached to each other and had 
similar tastes, had been separated thirteen long years. 
Bartolomeo's arrival could not have been more 
fortunate. The Admiral's illness and the wretched 
condition of affairs at Hispaniola required the services 
of just such an intelligent, brave, and experienced 
man and, had he not come just when he did, there is 
little doubt Columbus and the entire colony would 
have perished. This unexpected good fortune not only 
worked Columbus' recovery but placed him in a po- 
sition to prevent the destruction of the new colony. 
During his absence everything had been thrown into 
confusion. Two-thirds of the colony had fallen 
victims to the diseases common in that latitude. 
Margrite, who had been made captain-general, 

[79] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

had become a rebel, but as he could not carry out 
his purposes, had escaped to Spain upon one of the 
vessels with Buil, his fellow-conspirator. The 
soldiers under his command were scattered over the 
island without a leader and had committed all 
kinds of outrages. Because of this the natives had 
become embittered toward the Spaniards and had 
murdered many of them. 

Such were the conditions which threatened the 
destruction of the young colony. 

The worst of all was the fact that the natives, 
hitherto so peaceful and friendly, at last began to 
realize the danger which menaced them. Made 
wiser by their experiences, they looked into the 
future and saw, with a shudder, that a longer stay 
of these strangers, whom they at first had reverenced, 
meant famine and slavery for them. With the idle 
life to which they were accustomed, and in that hot 
climate, very little food was required for daily sub- 
sistence. A handful of maize and a little roasted 
cassava ^ were all they needed. Now, they noticed 
with surprise, that one Spaniard ate more at one 
meal than four of them would eat in a whole day, 
from which they concluded that it would not be 
long before everything on the island would be con- 
sumed and they would be left victims of hunger. 



^ The cassava is a plant about four feet high with broad leaves 
and a thick stem. The root is shaped like a turnip and is about six 
inches thick. Eaten raw it is insipid and unhealthy but when cooked 
is very palatable. 

[80] 



NEW DISCOVERIES 



These observations and the daily spectacle of 
deeds of violence committed by the Spaniards, at 
last convinced the natives they must either throw 
off the yoke or forever wear it. They had courage 
enough to make the attempt. They took up arms 
and united themselves under their caciques into a 
large army, numbering about one hundred thousand. 
Columbus did not shrink before the danger confront- 
ing the colony though he deeply deplored the bitter- 
ness which had been caused among the natives by 
the outrages committed by his inferiors. His chief 
hope, that these poor and ignorant heathen might 
be led to accept the Christian religion, was now 
dissipated and he realized that blood must be shed 
among those who might have lived together peace- 
ably. In the midst of these discouragements the 
faithful Guakanahari visited him and tendered him 
his sympathy and help. This steadfast friend of 
the Europeans had already incurred the enmity of 
the other caciques for protecting the strangers; and 
hence, in self-defence, it became necessary for him 
to side with the Spaniards. Columbus cordially 
thanked him and accepted the service of his warriors. 



[8i] 



Chapter XI 



The l^ olives are Subjugated — Columbus is Traduced in 
Spain — He Returns to Europe and Suffers Many 
Hardships on the Voyage 

WITH the two armies confronting one another 
the time had come which must decide 
for either the lives of the Spaniards or the 
freedom of the natives. Upon the one side were 
a hundred thousand Indians, armed with clubs, 
spears, and arrows, the latter tipped with bone or 
flint. Upon the other were only two hundred 
infantry and twenty cavalrymen, supported by a 
small force of Indians under the command of Guaka- 
nahari. The contrast was great, but what the 
Europeans lacked in numbers they made up in the 
science of war, as well as in their weapons, horses, 
and hounds — that hunted Indians as if they were 
game. The risk was equally great on both sides 
and the issue of the battle apparently uncertain. 
Columbus attacked the Indians fiercely. The roar of 
musketry, the neighing of horses, and bellowing of 
the hounds so bewildered the savages that after a 
brief and unorganized resistance they took to flight. 
Some of them fell by the sword, others were trampled 
upon by the horses or torn by the hounds, while 
[82I 



RETURNS TO EUROPE 

others were taken prisoners. The rest fled to the 
forest. Thus was it decided that these innocent 
people should bow their necks to the yoke of Eu- 
ropean slavery. Columbus lost no time in taking 
advantage of his victory. He traversed the whole 
region and wherever he went established his au- 
thority without a shadow of resistance. In a few 
months the entire populous island was under Spanish 
rule. 

Margrite and Buil, the two deadly enemies of 
Columbus, meanwhile had reached Spain. He knew 
that they would spare no pains to belittle his services 
in every way they could and to convince the sus- 
picious King of Spain that the discoveries made by 
him were of very small account. He saw a storm 
coming which would certainly overwhelm him if he 
did not take measures to avert it. The only means 
of doing this was to send the Spanish Court some 
conspicuous proof of the wealth which he had 
promised would accrue from his discoveries; and to 
place himself in a position to furnish such proof, he 
found it necessary to make extortionate demands 
upon the poor Indians for contributions. He ordered 
that the islanders living in the gold region should 
bring to him quarterly a certain quantity of gold- 
dust and all the others twenty-five pounds of cotton 
wool. This was more than the poor people could 
furnish. As they had been accustomed from youth 
to a life of idleness, it became unendurable for them 
to search for gold and gather cotton wool day after 

[83] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

day like slaves. Their sustenance was growing 
scarcer each week and yet the Europeans cruelly 
drove them to their tasks. As they could not 
furnish what was demanded of them, even with their 
utmost exertions, they determined to carry out a 
plan possible only for those in a desperate condition. 
Counting upon the gluttony of the Europeans, they 
thought it feasible to compel them to leave the 
island if they stopped planting maize and cassava. 
They unanimously destroyed their crops and fled 
into unapproachable mountain places, where they 
subsisted upon fruits and wild turnips, but the 
unfortunates were soon the victims of their own 
scheme. They quickly felt the pangs of that 
hunger which they thought would overcome their 
oppressors. Some of them were swept away in a 
lamentable manner, others were carried off by conta- 
gious diseases, and the remainder were so exhausted 
that they could not bear the burdens imposed upon 
them. As far as the Spaniards were concerned they 
did not suffer much from this desperate scheme, for 
by their own exertions and by the arrival of subsist- 
ence from Europe they were protected from utter 
want. The hope of the poor natives, that they 
might survive the intruders, perished. 

In the meantime the storm which Columbus saw 
rising in the distance at last burst upon him. Mar- 
grite and Buil had so belittled the importance of 
his discoveries and pictured his accomplishment in 
such odious colore that the Spanish Court lost its 

[84] 



RETURNS TO EUROPE 

confidence in him. The King decided to send a 
representative to the West Indies to investigate 
affairs and report. This man, Juan Aguado, was 
far from having the ability or insight to discharge 
such a duty. Puffed up with his new importance, 
Aguado came to Hispaniola and hastened to impress 
the Admiral with his dignity. He met Columbus in 
a most contemptuous manner and invited all — Span- 
iards as well as natives — who had any complaints 
to make, to appear before him. He eagerly seized 
upon every charge which the discontented brought 
against Columbus, without inquiring into its truth or 
falsity, so that he might collect a mass of individual 
complaints which should exhibit the man whom he 
hoped to destroy in the worst possible light. Colum- 
bus, as we know, could endure much, but this new 
affliction bore heavily upon him. He resolved to 
go to Spain at once and make a personal explanation 
to the King and Queen, leaving the issue to their 
sense of justice. In pursuance of his plan he ap- 
pointed his brother Bartolomeo as adelantado, or 
governor of the island, during his absence, and a 
certain man, named Roldan, to have military com- 
mand. This was unfortunate as the latter was an 
unprincipled adventurer. 

On the tenth of May^ Columbus left the island 
with two new vessels and two hundred and twenty 
men. To make as speedy a voyage as possible he 

^ Other authorities say the tenth of March. 

[8s] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

steered in a direct course for Spain. He did not 
know how much this would prolong the voyage. He 
had to learn by unfortunate experience what every 
seaman now knows, how uncertain the trade-winds 
make such a course. It is well known now that 
vessels returning from the West Indies, in order to 
evade these contrary winds, must steer farther north. 
He soon discovered the difficulties of the course 
he had selected but, as he was not accustomed 
to yield to obstacles, he pushed on all the more 
resolutely. His voyage was so greatly protracted, 
however, that after three months he had little 
prospect of reaching its end. His troubles were 
still further increased by the diminution of his 
supplies, and at last his crew were reduced to a 
very small portion of bread. Hunger at last made 
them so furious that they were resolved to slaughter 
the Indians on board or, if that were not allowed, to 
throw them overboard so that the rest might have 
enough to eat. In this crisis Columbus once more 
showed that humane feeling which was always 
characteristic of him. He firmly refused to permit 
it and explained to them that these unfortunate 
Indians were their companions, sharers in a common 
necessity, and had as much right to food as them- 
selves. By these and similar representations he 
appeased them temporarily. Before they had time 
to renew their inhuman demands Heaven itself 
interposed and ended all troubles. The coast of 
Spain was in sightl 
[861 



Chapter XII 



Columbus is Graciously Received by Ferdinand and Isabella 
— His Enemies Unable to Shake their Confidence in 
Him — The Third Voyage in 1498 — Discovery of the 
Island of Trinidad at the Mouth of the Orinoco 

SERENELY conscious of the value of his services, 
but with that modesty which is characteristic 
of all noble spirits, the calumniated world- 
discoverer approached the throne of his sovereign 
to establish his innocence of the false accusations 
made against him. But it was not necessary for 
him to defend himself, for his mere countenance 
impressed his royal judges at once with the esteem 
in which they had previously held his services, as 
well as with shame for their own credulity. As 
soon as he had shown them a part only of the valu- 
able products he had brought with him, all their 
suspicions vanished and they strove to compensate 
him by every mark of honor. All that Columbus 
now proposed was granted, the rights which he al- 
ready held in the newly discovered countries were 
confirmed, and new ones added. His most urgent 
desire was the secure establishment of the colony 
he had founded at Hispaniola and to procure as 
many men for this purpose as he considered indis- 

[87] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

pensable. Besides this he wanted a sufficient num- 
ber of farm laborers and artisans of every kind so 
that he might be able to meet all the requirements of 
the colony. 

Unfortunately it was not easy to find many 
Spaniards who were ready to sail with the Admiral 
to the New World, for many of the emigrants had 
returned home and were not as enthusiastic over 
the new countries as they might have been. The 
gold there could be obtained only by working for 
it and these Spaniards did not like to work. Besides 
this the climate of Hispaniola was not agreeable to 
many of them. They had come back with bleached 
and yellow skins and satirically said that they 
brought back more gold in their faces than in their 
pockets. To procure men for the settlement of 
Hispaniola, Columbus advised that the prisons 
should be opened and that convicts sentenced to 
death or the galleys should be sent to Hispaniola 
where they could be useful in the adjacent mines. 
An order was at once issued to courts of justice 
in Spain that all such criminals should be sent to 
the West Indies. In this way Columbus conveyed 
to the New World many bad persons who naturally 
gave him much trouble. 

Notwithstanding the issue of the royal order 
that Columbus should be provided with everything 
he asked, the equipment of the fleet progressed very 
slowly, for the money promised him could not be 
raised at once and those opposed to the undertaking 

[88] 



THE THIRD VOYAGE 

put many obstacles In his way, which retarded the 
progress of the business. At last, however, two 
freight vessels left for Hispaniola in January, 1498, 
but Columbus had to wait until the thirtieth of 
May before he could weigh anchor with six ves- 
sels deficiently manned. He had now determined 
to take an entirely new course, hoping to discover 
the real Indies. With this purpose In view, after 
he reached the Canary Islands he sailed In the same 
direction to the island of the Green Cape, which the 
Portuguese had discovered. Immediately after leav- 
ing the Canaries he sent half of his vessels directly to 
Hispaniola to take fresh provisions to the colony and 
ordered their captains to make the voyage as quickly 
as possible. After passing the island of the Green 
Cape, which Is called the Salz Island, he anchored near 
a small, barren one where the Portuguese sent their 
lepers to be cured. Upon this small island there 
are multitudes of turtles which swim there from the 
African coast to lay their eggs In the sand. These 
animals are very easily caught. When placed upon 
their backs they cannot move. It had been found that 
to eat their flesh and wash in their blood was a sure 
cure for leprosy, so those afflicted with that disease 
were sent there to be healed. Besides these turtles 
there was an immense number of goats upon this 
island, which had sprang from eight goats once 
brought there by a Portuguese. There was neither 
tree nor stream on the Island and the poor lepers 
were forced to drink foul rain water which collected 

[89] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

in holes. There were at that time only seven of 
them on the island. 

From there Columbus steered to the southward 
until he reached the equator, where his fleet was 
becalmed. The sun's rays beat down upon their 
heads fiercely and they could find no shelter from 
its blazing heat. The wine-casks split, all the water 
aboard was foul, the provisions rotted, the vessels 
themselves grew so hot that the despairing sailors 
expected every instant they would take fire. Besides 
his own troubles and the despair of his exhausted 
companions, he was afflicted by gout, induced by 
his anxiety and sleeplessness. He lay racked with 
pain, troubled with anxiety over the dangerous 
condition of his vessels, tormented with the heat, 
without the comfort of a drink of fresh water. At 
last the heavens had pity upon him and sent such 
an abundant rain that the men could hardly remain 
upon deck. It did not greatly abate the terrible 
heat, but they secured a supply of fresh water, and, 
as the calm disappeared, hope once more arose in 
their half-lifeless breasts. They eagerly implored 
him not to persist in sailing farther south and this 
time he yielded and took a southwesterly course. 

After sailing several days in that direction, upon 
the first of August, 14 9^^, the welcome shout of 
" Land, land ! " was heard from the mast-head. It was 
heavenly music in the ears of the hungry and ex- 
hausted seamen who had been tossing about so 
long. The island which they observed was cov- 

[90] 



THE THIRD VOYAGE 

ered with three hill-tops and so Columbus named it 
Trinidad, which name it still bears. It lies not far 
from the mouth of the Orinoco River, which empties 
into the sea with such force that the fleet was very 
unsafe. The waves dashed and broke against them 
fiercely and one vessel had the misfortune to be 
caught in this mighty wave rush, and for a time was 
In great danger of being destroyed. Finding him- 
self In the midst of a terrible battle of the waves 
which tossed his vessels up and down, to the right 
and left, as if they had been feathers, he had to 
exert all his skill to escape from this dangerous spot 
through a channel which had such a cruel aspect 
that he named it La Boca del Drago (the Dragon's 
Throat). 

Columbus was now fully convinced he had reached 
the mainland, for no island could contain such a 
mighty river as the Orinoco. He steered still farther 
to the west along the coast and landed at different 
places. He found that the natives of this country 
had many of the characteristics of those In Hispan- 
iola, only they were more Intelligent and courageous 
and were of whiter skin. They were also decorated 
with gold ornaments and costly pearls, which they 
willingly exchanged for European trifles. One of 
them came to Columbus upon one occasion without 
any attendants, while he was on shore seeking fresh 
air as a relief from his ailment. He boldly approached 
the Admiral's camp, removed his red silk cap, and 
placed a gold crown on his head In Its place. Colum- 

[91] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

bus decided the native must be a cacique and took 
pains that he should be properly treated. 

These Indians wore a soft woollen cloth wound 
about the head, and their bodies from the waist to 
the knee were covered with a similar cloth. They 
had long but well-kept hair and their weapons were 
shields, bows, and arrows. Columbus would gladly 
have remained there long enough to ascertain some- 
thing of the nature of the inland country but the 
wretched condition of his vessels and his continued 
indisposition forced him to abandon further investi- 
gation and sail to Hispaniola. Upon this voyage 
he discovered the island of Margarita, which has 
become so famous for its pearl fisheries. 

Worn out with illness and the incessant strain 
upon him, he at last reached the colony, to take 
a long rest from his cares and troubles. 



[92] 



Chapter XIII 



Wretched Condition of the Colony — Vasco da Gama Sails 
around the Cape of Good Hope to the East Indies — 
Ojeda^s Undertaking — Cabral Discovers Brazil 

THE time for rest and recovery had not yet 
come for poor Columbus. Unforeseen blows, 
new difficulties, new anxieties, new labors 
and dangers, so great that they would have tested 
the endurance of a well man and exhausted any man 
not worn down with trouble, were awaiting him. 
His noble brother, Bartolomeo, during his absence 
had conducted an expedition to a favorable and not 
far distant region and had begun the erection of 
a new city, which he named San Domingo in honor 
of his father, Dominico. This city, which still 
flourishes, has been for a long time one of the most 
important in the West Indies and the whole Island 
has gradually come to take its name. While laying 
out the new city, Bartolomeo, with a part of his 
men, advanced into parts of the island where 
Columbus had never been, leaving behind him the 
captain-general Roldan in command of those remain- 
ing. This evil-disposed man betrayed the confi- 
dence reposed in him and proved himself guilty of 
blackest ingratitude. 

[93] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

Roldan had long waited an opportunity to over- 
throw the Columbus family and make himself ruler 
of the island. The departure of Bartolomeo and 
the absence of his great brother seemed to offer just 
that opportunity. He improved it to the utmost 
of his ability, sought to turn the Spaniards left 
behind against Bartolomeo and his younger brother, 
Diego, and succeeded so well that most of them 
came over to his side. They chose him for their 
leader, took up arms against the adelantado, his 
plan being to seize all the supplies and take the fort 
at San Domingo by storm. This plan, however, 
was fortunately thwarted by the vigilance of some of 
the officers who had been left to protect the fort, and 
the leaders were forced to retreat to another part 
of the island. There they strove to win the natives 
to their side and so far succeeded that in a short 
time the whole island was in the throes of revo- 
lution. 

Such was the desperate condition of the spot where 
Columbus had planned to rest! Still further to ag- 
gravate his troubles, he learned that the three vessels 
sent by him with supplies from the Canaries had not 
arrived. It seemed certain to him that they had 
been lost by some disaster or another upon the ocean. 
For a time everything seemed as good as hopeless for 
Columbus. Storms and ocean currents had driven 
these vessels out of their prescribed course and, after 
being tossed about in unknown regions of the ocean, 
they at last reached Hispaniola, but upon that coast 

[94I 



OJEDA'S UNDERTAKING 

where Roldan and his followers had settled. The 
cunning Roldan concealed his seditious undertaking 
from the captains of the three vessels and induced 
them to send a part of their crews on shore, whom he 
agreed to conduct to San Domingo. These men, 
the offscourings of the Spanish prisons, gladly 
enlisted under his banner, as it would give them a 
chance to rob and plunder. This was the first 
unpleasant result of the course which Columbus 
had inconsiderately taken. 

Several days after the Admiral's arrival the three 
vessels appeared at San Domingo but without bring- 
ing the men he so much needed. Most of them 
had gone and most of the supplies had been con- 
sumed. Roldan, the ingrate, chuckled over Colum- 
bus' weakness and boasted of his own authority. 
Columbus' soul was filled with deep and bitter 
indignation. He magnanimously decided, however, 
not to pay any attention to the injury done him 
but rather to arrange an interview and see if the 
thankless Roldan and his erring followers could not 
be induced through kindness to return to their 
duties. To accomplish this he announced that all 
who were sorry for their offences should be forgiven 
as soon as they returned to their allegiance. Be- 
sides this he made the same promise to Roldan 
and assured him he should be restored to his former 
dignity. By this kindly condescension and after 
many .urgent communications, he carried out his 
purpose and had the satisfaction of quelling this 

[9S] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

dangerous outbreak without shedding a drop of 
blood. 

Thereupon he sent a vessel to Spain to Inform the 
Court of his discovery of the mainland and of his 
suppression of the uprising, with the evidences of 
the products which he had found there, consisting of 
pearls, gold, and a great quantity of many-colored 
cloths, besides finely woven fabrics. He sent his diary, 
in which he had kept the course of his vessels 
and all the important events which had occurred. 
Roldan, on the contrary, as well as his accomplices, 
did not fail to send information to the King of a 
nature to calumniate the Admiral and to justify his 
own shameless conduct. Unfortunately the King 
was unjust enough to put more credence in his 
statements than in those of the brave Admiral, 
notwithstanding the one uttered the truth and the 
other shameful calumnies. 

In the meantime the King of Portugal, deeply 
regretting that he had so mistaken Columbus and 
rejected his proposals, resolved to spare no cost in 
discovering the long-sought passage to the East 
Indies. To retrieve his mistake he fitted out an 
expedition and entrusted Its command to the skilful 
and experienced mariner, Vasco da Gama. 

Difficulties which appeared Insurmountable con- 
fronted this undertaking, but fortunately Da Gama 
had the same stamp of greatness as Columbus. No 
difficulties, however great, could deter him from the 
execution of a purpose once formed. It mattered not 

[96] 



OJEDA'S UNDERTAKING 

to him that the African coasts were unknown, that 
they abounded in rocks and sand bars, that the sun 
beat down with heat so fierce as to threaten 
the burning of the vessels, that storms raged and 
menaced them. He met all these obstacles with 
an unconquerable spirit, kept resolutely on, and 
at last reached the southernmost point of Africa, 
the Cape of Good Hope. That was only the start- 
ing-point for such an ambitious spirit as Vasco da 
Gama. He pushed farther ahead, sailed around 
to the other side of Africa, and at last reached 
the city of Melinda, upon the coast of Zanzibar. 
He was greatly surprised to find, in place of bar- 
barians such as he had encountered all along the 
African coast, a highly civilized nation resembling 
in some respects the Asiatics. They carried on 
an extensive trade with foreigners, were Moham- 
medan in religion, and were acquainted with many 
of the arts of civilization. Eager to accomplish the 
real purpose of his expedition, he still sailed on and, 
on the twentieth of May, 1498, had the good fortune 
to reach the coast of India. He landed at the city 
of Calicut, in the Malabar district, on the Indian 
Ocean. He was no more surprised at the richness 
of the country and the value of its products than at 
its orderly administration and the polished manners 
of its people. Unfortunately he had nothing on his 
vessel which he could exchange for these valuable 
products, for the mere trifles which the savages 
prized so highly were of little account to these peo- 

[97] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

pie. He did not remain there long, therefore, but 
turned back to inform the King of the fortunate 
outcome of his undertaking. 

Thus, at about the same time Columbus discovered 
the New World, another world, though known 
already, but of little practical advantage, was 
brought into close communication with Europe by 
navigation. From this time on wealth poured in 
great streams into little Portugal. It was not 
without envy that the Spaniards observed the rich 
treasure their neighbors were enjoying while they 
had not yet been able to pay the expenses of dis- 
covering their new possessions. The enthusiasm 
for making discoveries now spread more and more. 
Kings and republicans, nobles and burghers sought 
to make fortunes, to fit out expeditions, and gain 
adventures either for themselves or others. Among 
these the chevalier Ojeda, who had accompanied 
Columbus on his second voyage, persuaded some 
merchants of Seville to equip four vessels and 
despatch them on voyages of discovery under his 
command. He obtained permission to make these 
voyages, and a contract which violated the provi- 
sions of the one which the Court had made with 
Columbus. The Bishop of Badajos, who, as Prime 
Minister, had charge of all West Indian affairs, was 
a sworn enemy of Columbus and took advantage of 
his sickness to give Ojeda his diary and charts, to 
be used on the voyage. This Ojeda was accom- 
panied by a well-known Italian nobleman, Amerigo 

[98] 



OJEDA'S UNDERTAKING 

Vespucci, or, in Latin, Americus Vespucius. With 
the help of the diary of Columbus, Ojeda reached 
the island of Trinidad, and, after many adventures, 
arrived at Hispaniola, where he made common cause 
with Roldan, but returned to Spain after he had 
been betrayed by him. Ojeda's voyage, though 
it was of little importance, brings Americus Ves- 
pucius into notice. In what capacity he accom- 
panied Ojeda is not clear. He himself maintains 
he made the voyage in the service of the Crown. 
In his description of it he is not always truthful. 
He overestimates his own importance, and yet it 
is evident from his writings that he was very fond 
of adventure and natural beauty. Americus Ves- 
pucius did not propose that the newly discovered 
country should be named for him. He was not so 
foolish as that. The name was first given to it 
after his death, because it was first made well known 
in his writings. 

Realizing the Important gains to be made from the 
passage discovered by Da Gama, the King of Portugal 
fitted out a great fleet which was loaded with Eu- 
ropean goods with which to carry on a lucrative 
business, and a man named Cabral was appointed 
its commander. As he knew how unsafe it was to 
sail along the African coast, he steered, as soon as 
he was on the other side of the equator, to the west, 
and, after keeping in that direction for some time, 
suddenly and much to his astonishment found him- 
self on the coast of a great country. By accident 

[99] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

he had discovered the rich Brazil. He took posses- 
sion of it in the name of the King and sent one of 
his vessels back with the agreeable news. In this 
way was one part of America after another dis- 
covered, demonstrating more and more how correct 
were the grounds upon which Columbus' conjectures 
rested. 



[lOO] 



Chapter XIV 



Columbus Again Calumniated at the Spanish Court — 
Bohadilla is Ordered to San Domingo on a Tour of 
Investigation — He Sends Columbus Back to Spain in 
Fetters — Columbus Vindicated by his Sovereigns — 
Ovando Sails to the New Countries with a Fleet of 
Thirty-two Vessels 

ROLDAN and his followers did everything in 
their power to escape responsibility for the 
disorder which had occurred and fasten the 
blame upon Columbus. At the same time many 
malcontents returned to Spain angry because, in 
place of the riches they had expected, they had 
encountered only hardships and poverty. All of 
these people regarded Columbus as the sole cause 
of their blasted hopes, and accusations and curses 
were heaped upon him all over Spain. Encouraged 
by his powerful enemies, they overwhelmed the 
King and Queen with petitions for compensation 
for their losses and with complaints of the injustice 
and oppression they alleged they had suffered from 
him. Their ragged attire and pale, famished ap- 
pearance aroused sympathy for them and lent their 
statements the appearance of truth. Whenever the 
King and Queen appeared in public a swarm of these 

[lOl] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

unfortunates, instigated by the Admiral's enemies, 
surrounded them, implored the royal mercy, and in- 
veighed against Columbus. Is it surprising that a 
naturally credulous and suspicious King at last be- 
lieved their accusations? Is it surprising also that 
the Queen herself, who had hitherto been Columbus' 
steadfast patron, at last took sides against him? 
Owing to the pressure brought upon them, Ferdi- 
nand and Isabella decided to send a commissioner 
to the West Indies with authority to investigate 
the Admiral's administration. Francisco de Bobadilla 
was the man proposed by the enemies of Columbus, 
and he obtained the important position. He had 
full authority to remove Columbus and in his heart 
was determined to do so. He also received per- 
mission, as soon as he was convinced the charges 
were true, not only to remove him but to undertake 
the government of the island himself. He further 
was conceded authority to take possession of all 
the defences, vessels, storehouses, and property of 
every kind, to fill all positions, and to send back to 
Spain, for appearance before their sovereign, all 
persons, without regard to rank, whose dismissal 
would in his opinion help to restore order in the 
island. Unfortunately Bobadilla was a man com- 
pletely unfitted for such a task. He seems to have 
been a weak, presumptuous person, puffed up with 
insolence by the brief authority which had been so 
undeservedly conferred upon him. He regarded 
Columbus from that time forward as a convicted 
[102] 



COLUMBUS VINDICATED 

malefactor. At the time this direful messenger 
was selected Columbus had succeeded in his efforts 
to restore peace and order in all the island districts. 
The discontented were satisfied, all Spaniards and 
natives had obediently submitted to the laws, the 
rich mines were opened, and the development of the 
country had begun auspiciously. 

When Bobadilla arrived at San Domingo, Colum- 
bus was still absent in a distant part of the island, 
seeing that some of his instructions were carried out. 
A sense of justice should have led his judge to 
await his return before taking action against him. 
But what did such a man as Bobadilla care about 
justice? He had not come to hear Columbus' ex- 
planations but to condemn him and usurp his place. 
As soon as he landed he went directly to the house 
of the Admiral and announced that it was his own 
from that time forward. Then he took possession 
of all his belongings. After doing this he publicly 
announced that the King had sent him to depose the 
governor, and to settle all grievances which any 
person had against him.. Not satisfied with this, he 
at once released all whom Columbus had arrested 
and invited them to make complaints of the injustice 
they had suffered. 

Having done this, the infamous Bobadilla sent a 
messenger to Columbus with the order to appear 
immediately before his tribunal and give an account 
of his conduct. At the same time he sent him a 
royal document showing that he had full authority 

[ 103 ] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

for his order. A bolt out of the clear sky could not 
have astonished Columbus more than this unexpected 
news. He could not trust his own eyes but read the 
document over and over again — a document black 
with infamy — but he could not make it other than it 
was. He, the acknowledged discoverer of the New 
World, guilty of no offence, was ordered to appear 
before the tribunal by a worthless man not fit to 
lick the dust from his feet! Columbus was crushed 
down under the weight of this outrage. But he 
did not hesitate an instant as to his duty. He had 
soldiers and his brother Bartolomeo with him and 
it would have been easy to answer this unjust judge, 
sword in hand. But his noble spirit despised any 
method of protecting himself which was not consist- 
ent with the obedience which he considered due to 
his superiors, though they were guilty of an atrodious 
act of injustice. He hesitated not an instant but 
went to San Domingo without a murmur, honorably 
to accept the penalty. Having arrived, he waited 
upon Bobadilla. "Place him in chains," said the 
tyrant, without assigning any reason, "and take 
him away." The inhuman order was executed. 
Columbus was fettered and taken to a vessel in 
haste. Thus was a man rewarded, for whom, if he 
had lived in the days of the old Greeks and Romans, 
statues would have been erected, divine honors 
awarded, and temples built. 

Thus was Columbus degraded, and in this shameful 
manner he was removed from a country which he 

[104] 



COLUMBUS VINDICATED 

had secured for his King at the cost of a thousand 
hardships and at great personal danger. He re- 
ceived this last hard blow of adverse fate with quiet 
dignity and with a calmness which declared his 
innocence and greatness of spirit more eloquently 
than any apology he could have uttered. He was 
hurried away; but the cup of his sorrows was not yet 
emptied. His patience was to be put to a still 
severer test, for Bobadilla had not yet exhausted 
the full measure of his cruelty. He realized that 
his noble prisoner would only half suffer so long as 
he knew that he was the only victim and that his 
brothers were still free. He placed them also in 
chains and specially ordered that they should have 
no communication with each other. Then he 
went through the pretence of a trial and sentenced 
them to death, but he had not the courage to carry 
out his murderous purpose, for he feared he might 
not be able to justify himself. He hoped that his 
powerful friend, the Bishop of Badajos, Columbus' 
deadly enemy, would see that the death sentence 
was executed. To this end he sent a report of the 
proceedings to Spain with the prisoners. 

Hardly was the vessel under way which was tak- 
ing Columbus to Spain when the captain, who still 
retained his respect for him, approached him to 
remove the fetters, but Columbus refused to have 
them taken off. "Let them remain," he said, "I 
am wearing these fetters by the orders of my su- 
periors; I will continue to wear them until they 

[1051 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

remove them; they will find me obedient now as I 
always have been." So the fetters remained until 
he reached Spain. Bobadilla had ordered that the 
prisoners upon arrival should be delivered to the 
Bishop of Badajos, so that they should have no 
opportunity to secure the sympathy of their patron, 
Queen Isabella. But an honorable man, named 
Martin, secretly left the vessel and carried a letter 
from Columbus to the Queen informing her of what 
had happened. The Court was astounded at the 
news, for it had never expected that Bobadilla would 
so far exceed the authority vested in him. They 
recognized the indignity of this treatment and fore- 
saw that it would shock all Europe. A messenger 
was sent at once with the command that Columbus 
and his brothers should be released. At the same 
time he was requested to appear at Court and money 
was sent him so that he might be suitably clothed 
and present himself in a manner befitting his rank. 
Columbus acceded to the request of the royal pair 
and waited upon them. Entering the apartment 
in which they were awaiting him, he prostrated him- 
self before them. He was so overcome with the 
monstrous injustice he had suffered that it was a 
long time before he could speak. At last he recovered 
himself, strengthened by his consciousness of inno- 
cence, and protested against the slanders of his 
malicious enemies. He made a long explanation 
in which he so completely established his innocence 
that Ferdinand and Isabella were entirely convinced 
[ io6 1 



COLUMBUS VINDICATED 

by It. They expressed their regret for what had 
occurred and assured him that it had been done with- 
out their knowledge. To confirm this assurance, 
they removed Bobadilla from his position and made 
reparation to Columbus by marks of affection 
and promises of future protection. When a little 
later it became necessary to choose a successor to 
Bobadilla, it was unmistakably apparent that the 
prejudice of the King and Queen against Colum- 
bus was not entirely eradicated, for Nicholas de 
Ovando was chosen. He was given a fleet of thirty- 
two vessels, a company of two thousand five hun- 
dred persons — many of them from distinguished 
families — and, besides this, everything that was 
necessary for the maintenance and prosperity of the 
colony. It was in vain that Columbus appealed for 
the rights which had been granted to him at the 
beginning of his great undertaking. It was in vain 
that he protested against this fresh injustice of 
removing him from his position after he had been 
pronounced innocent, as if he were a convicted 
criminal. His protests met with evasive replies, or 
remained unnoticed. He felt the deepest indigna- 
tion and could not conceal it. Wherever he went 
he took his fetters as an evidence of the black 
ingratitude with which his services had been requited. 
He kept them hanging in his rooms and ordered that 
they should be buried in the grave with him. 



[107] 



Chapter XV 



Ovando Calls the Audacious Bobadilla to Account — Colum- 
bus Undertakes his Fourth Voyage in 1502 

NEVER had so strong a fleet been sent to the 
West Indies as that consigned to Ovando, the 
new governor. While he was sailing away 
with his thirty-two vessels and two thousand five 
hundred men, Columbus had to remain at home with 
the mortification of seeing another reap what he 
had sown with so many inexpressible hardships. 
Soon after Ovando's departure a terrible storm arose 
which dispersed his vessels. The news reached 
Spain that the fleet was lost. The King, overcome 
with distress at this new misfortune which had con- 
signed so many of his best and bravest subjects to 
a watery grave, secluded himself in his palace sev- 
eral days. Fortunately, however, the report proved 
untrue. The fleet outrode the storm. Only one 
vessel was lost and the others reached their destina- 
tion at the right time. 

Ovando arrived at Hispaniola just at the right 
time. Had he been delayed longer the new colony 
might have been ruined by Bobadilla's foolish and 
unjust administration. He had hoped to establish 
himself in secure possession by pandering to the 

[108] 



THE FOURTH VOYAGE 

rabble in every unlawful way. To accomplish this 
end he revoked all of Columbus' wise regulations 
and permitted every one to conduct himself in the 
most unlicensed manner. His predecessor had 
striven to protect the poor Indians from Spanish 
outrages, but he left them exposed to violence of 
every kind. He divided them among his covetous 
followers as slaves and the poor creatures were 
assigned to tasks far beyond their strength. The 
burden of this labor and the cruel severity which 
they had to endure at the hands of their taskmasters 
killed many of these naturally weak creatures and 
threatened to destroy them all. 

The first act of Ovando was the removal of Boba- 
dilla, who was sent to Spain, together with Roldan, 
to give an account of his misconduct. By royal 
command he did away with slavery by declaring all 
the Indians free. The unlicensed manner of life 
followed by the Spaniards was checked by new and 
rigid laws. Permission was given for the mining of 
gold but upon condition that half the product 
should belong to the King or the master of the 
island. 

Meanwhile Columbus, bowed down by the weight 
of his troubles, appeared from time to time at the 
Court, which continued to turn a deaf ear to his com- 
plaints. He did not plead for grace but for justice. 
With the royal contract in his hands, he implored the 
fulfilment of the promise made to him that he should 
be the vice-sovereign of the newly discovered regions. 

[109] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

He was convinced that on his last voyage he had 
found the coast of the mainland. His former sup- 
position that this land was a part of India, if not 
entirely removed, was greatly weakened. He now 
conjectured that between the mainland and India 
there might be a great ocean separating one from 
the other. He further thought it possible that in 
the region of the Isthmus of Darien there might be 
a strait through which a passage could be found 
into this ocean and thence to the Indies. 

It seemed to him a matter of the highest Impor- 
tance to ascertain whether there was such a pas- 
sage. If so, how much easier and more direct it 
would be to sail for the Indies in that direction than 
by the passage discovered by the Portuguese around 
Africa! Great as was the injury done to him by 
the King, his desire to benefit the world by fresh 
discoveries was still greater, greater even than his 
indignation at being superseded and refused his 
rights. He magnanimously resolved to forget all 
that had been done to him and in his old age to 
risk once more the dangers and hardships of a new 
voyage. He announced his purpose to the Court, 
which was only too delighted at the opportunity of 
ridding itself of his troublesome presence. The sight 
of this deserving and greatly maligned man was a 
daily reproach to the King and Queen and they were 
only too glad to be free from it. Hence they will- 
ingly accepted his offer. They also cherished a 
belief that his voyage might have fortunate results 

[no] 



THE FOURTH VOYAGE 

for them. The order to fit out an expedition was 
promptly issued. 

What an apology for a fleet ! Four wretched little 
vessels, the largest of which was not half as large as 
an ordinary freight vessel, constituted all the mate- 
rial entrusted to him for so great an undertaking. 
With this little fleet he must navigate a far-distant 
unknown ocean and find a way to those East Indies 
from which he had promised to bring rich treasures. 
What a wretched outfit for the accomplishment of 
so vast an undertaking! Any other man would 
have abandoned such a seemingly impossible project, 
but Columbus thought of his first voyage and had 
no hesitation in trusting his life this time to vessels 
as weak as those were with which he first crossed 
the ocean between Europe and the West Indies. 
He went on board courageously, accompanied by 
his brother Bartolomeo and his thirteen-year-old 
second son, Ferdinand, who afterward wrote the 
history of his life. 

On the ninth of May, 1502, ten years after his 
first voyage, the gray-haired navigator set sail from 
Cadiz and steered for the Canary Islands. The 
voyage thus far was very fortunate, except that 
one of his vessels, the largest one, was such a slow 
sailer that it was very difficult to keep up with the 
others. He therefore first directed his course to 
Hispaniola that he might exchange this useless 
vessel for another. As soon as he reached the 
island he sent a messenger to Ovando, acquainting 

[III] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

him with the reasons for his arrival and asking 
permission to enter the harbor. The governor, how- 
ever, did not believe he had the right to grant this re- 
quest as a different course had been laid out for him, 
and he had been forbidden to go to Hispaniola. So the 
Admiral had to submit to a humiliation which he 
must have expected. Notwithstanding his indigna- 
tion he called the attention of Ovando to the fact, 
of which he was certain from long experience, that 
a violent storm was approaching. He begged for 
permission therefore to enter the harbor and remain 
there until the storm subsided. The governor at 
this time was about to send a considerable fleet to 
Spain. Columbus' proposal, however, was disre- 
garded. His petition was rejected, his advice spurned, 
and his warning was laughed at as the fancy of a 
conceited, knavish weather prophet. Meanwhile 
the Spanish homeward-bound fleet set sail. 

But the Heavens avenged the slight which had 
been put upon Columbus. The storm which he had 
foreseen came in all its fury. Columbus saved him- 
self by keeping close in to shore and his vessels 
escaped. Ovando's richly laden fleet, however, on 
its way to Spain, became the prey of the storm. 
Roldan and Bobadilla paid the penalty of their 
treachery to Columbus and perished in the waters. 
When the Admiral learned later that they were 
among the drowned, he had no doubt that an over- 
ruling Power had thus punished these traitors. 
With righteous indignation Columbus left the 

[112] 



THE FOURTH VOYAGE 

island, which he had discovered and which had been 
refused him as a shelter from a terrible storm, and 
sailed westward for the mainland. He was beset 
by many dangers on this voyage but finally had 
the good fortune to reach an island called Guanaja, 
lying not far from the main coast of Honduras. 
As soon as he had come to anchor he sent his brother 
Bartolomeo with some armed men ashore to make 
investigations. As Bartolomeo approached the beach 
he met a large Indian boat much more skilfully 
built than any he had ever seen before in that region. 
It was of considerable length, eight feet wide, and 
covered in the middle with a roof of palm leaves 
which gave it the appearance of a large gondola. 
The wives and children of the Indians were on 
board, besides twenty-five men. As soon as they 
were overtaken they gave themselves up as prison- 
ers, without resistance, although they were armed. 
Their cargo was examined and found to consist of 
woollen stuffs, some pieces of clothing, and great 
bands of cloth which served as draperies for the 
women, large wooden swords sharpened on both 
sides, besides copper hatchets and some other 
articles made of metal. Their food was of the same 
kind as that in Hispaniola except that they had a 
drink made of maize, resembling beer, and a small 
stock of cocoa beans of which they were very fond 
and which also served for money. These were the 
first beans of the kind ever seen by Europeans. 
Another remarkable thing about these savages was 

[113] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

the modest manner in which they attired them- 
selves. 

The Admiral was delighted to have these natives 
in his power, as he hoped to learn from them much 
that he wished to know. He treated them generously, 
exchanged European articles for their own, and gave 
them to understand they could go back with their 
boat whenever it pleased them. One old man, who 
seemed to be the most distinguished among them, 
remained on board a long time and much useful 
knowledge was gained from him which was of 
service in further communications with the natives. 

Columbus learned from this old man that there 
was a great region farther to the west which pro- 
duced gold in abundance. The people in that 
region wore golden circlets on their heads and 
heavy gold rings on their fingers, arms, and ankles. 
They had tables, chairs, and chests of gold; and 
corals, spices, and other valuable articles could be 
found there in great quantities. This region was 
no other than the rich Mexico. But great as was 
the Admiral's desire to secure these treasures, his 
desire to effect the purpose of his voyage by dis- 
covering the straits, which he hoped to find not far 
away, was still greater. After much consideration 
he abandoned the idea of obtaining these treasures 
which he was assured were so near. Without paying 
heed to the complaints of his companions he directed 
his course along the shore of the mainland toward 
the east. 

[114] 



Chapter XVI 



Columbus Vainly Attempts to Find the Passage between the 
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans 

IN pursuance of his plan Columbus sailed from 
the coast of Honduras to the eastward, hoping 
to find the straits which the natives assured 
him were in that direction. On their eastern journey 
along the coast they saw men who were very different 
from those they had met before and at the same 
time more uncivilized. They went entirely naked, 
ate raw meat and fish, and their ears were distended 
even to their shoulders by the many things they 
wore in them. They were tattooed with pictures 
of deer, lions, and other animals all over their bodies. 
The most important of the natives were distinguished 
from the others by white and red head coverings of 
woollen stuff. Some were black, others red, and still 
others painted their lips, nostrils, and eyes with 
stripes of various colors. 

From there he sailed farther on, making, however, 
but a short distance each day as the wind was almost 
continually contrary and he was greatly troubled 
by the currents. At last he reached a cape, stretch- 
ing toward the south, and there the wind was so 
favorable that he coasted along without difficulty. 

[IIS] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

Columbus, who never was lacking in gratitude to- 
ward the only Source of all good, named this cape 
Gracias a Dios, or "Thanks to God." In one place 
where they lay at anchor for several days they 
encountered boats filled with armed savages who 
looked as if they intended to prevent them from mak- 
ing a landing. As soon as they were convinced, 
however, of the friendly intentions of the Spaniards, 
they approached with the utmost confidence and 
offered to sell their weapons of various kinds, cross- 
bows, canes of a black hardwood — tipped with fish 
bone, — clubs, waistcoats of wool, and little pieces of 
pale gold which they wore on their necks. The 
Admiral presented them with various European 
playthings without taking anything for them. This 
seemed to dissatisfy them and when the Spaniards 
also declined their repeated invitation to go ashore 
they regarded it as a sign of mistrust. For this 
reason they shortly sent an old man of distinguished 
appearance, accompanied by two young maidens 
wearing gold necklaces, as ambassadors to the 
Spaniards. The old man appeared with a banner 
in his hand, which doubtless was a flag of truce, and 
desired to be conducted to the Admiral. Columbus 
received them courteously, provided them with 
food and clothing, and sent them back to shore 
delighted with their friendly treatment. 

On the next day Columbus' brother went ashore 
and saw all the presents which had been given to 
the natives lying in a heap, probably because it 
f ii61 



ATTEMPTS TO FIND PASSAGE 

was not their custom to accept gifts without making 
gifts in return. As he landed, two of the foremost 
natives took him by the arms and requested him to 
sit between them on the grass. He did as they 
wished, asked them various questions with the 
help of an interpreter, and ordered his secretary to 
take down their answers in writing. Hardly had 
the savages noticed pen, paper, and ink before they 
sprang up excitedly and ran up to their fellows who 
were looking on near by. The poor superstitious 
people fancied that the secretary was a magician, 
that the writing materials were the instruments 
of his magic, and that he would do them harm. 
Every effort was made to convince them of their 
folly but they would not venture to come near the 
Spaniards until they had averted the danger in their 
peculiar way, which was as follows: They threw 
a kind of powder at them which gave out a smoke, 
and this smoke, which they probably believed had 
the power of averting magic, they managed so that 
it should touch the one whom they regarded as the 
master magician. Immediately after this Barto- 
lomeo went with them to their village. The most 
remarkable thing he saw was a large wooden struc- 
ture which served as a burial-place. He found sev- 
eral corpses in it wrapped in woollen cloths, one 
of which was embalmed. Upon each one of the 
graves there was a board upon which were figures of 
animals. Upon some there were likenesses of the 
deceased, ornamented in various ways. On the next 

[117] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

day the Admiral detained several natives on board 
in order to obtain further information from them, 
which led the others to believe that he intended to 
keep them until they were ransomed. Accordingly 
they sent messengers to him with two young wild 
hogs as a ransom for the prisoners. The Admiral 
sought to make them understand their comrades 
were not prisoners and that a ransom was not nec- 
essary. He bought the hogs from them, whereupon 
they returned contented. 

After another cruise of several days the Admiral 
reached the mouth of a stream, came to anchor, 
and sent a boat's crew ashore, but a multitude of 
armed natives resisted their landing. Over a hun- 
dred sprang waist deep into the water, threateningly 
brandished their lances, blew horns, beat a kind 
of drum, dashed water at the Spaniards, and spit 
at them as a sign of their contempt and aversion. 
The Spaniards had orders to maintain a friendly 
attitude toward them. They made no reply to the 
hostile actions of the natives but contented them- 
selves with watching the spectacle at a safe distance 
until the leaders were weary of their useless opera- 
tions, when, in place of a battle, communication was 
opened up with them, and an exchange of several 
little trifles was made for sixteen plates of gold, 
valued at one hundred and fifty ducats. 

On the next day the natives changed their views 
of the peaceful attitude of the Spaniards toward 
them. They attributed it to cowardice and even 

[ii8] 



ATTEMPTS TO FIND PASSAGE 

went so far with their audacity as to hurl their 
spears at the approaching boats. Finding it neces- 
sary to give them a lesson they could understand, 
a cannon was fired and at the same time one of the 
savages" was wounded by an arrow, which created a 
panic among them. The Spaniards availed them- 
selves of the opportunity to land without inflicting 
further injury upon the fugitives. They made 
signals to them in the hope of inducing them to 
return. As the natives were now convinced that the 
white strangers would not harm them, they came 
back, laid down their arms, and exchanged their 
gold quietly and peacefully. 

After learning the nature of the region and its 
products the Admiral continued his course along the 
coast, still hoping to find the straits. On this 
voyage he at last came to a gulf with a spacious 
and secure harbor. The natives there had built 
an apparently large town, which was densely popu- 
lated and surrounded by well-cultivated land. 
Columbus named this place Porto Bello on account 
of its beautiful harbor. The natives were uni- 
versally friendly and brought fine-spun cloths, be- 
sides all kinds of food, which they gladly exchanged 
for nails, needles, and bells, and other similar trifles. 
From there Columbus sailed eight miles farther to 
that region where now is the city of Nombre de Dios. 
As the stormy weather compelled him to remain 
there several days he spent the time in repairing 
his vessels, which had now become badly damaged. 

[119] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

After this he resumed his voyage but bad weather 
forced him to run into a little harbor which he named 
the "Refuge." The natives there were also very 
friendly at first but the insulting behavior of a 
sailor provoked them to hostility. Confiding in 
their numbers, they made a concerted attack and 
attempted to board the vessels. The Admiral tried 
to induce them to abandon their purpose but, as his 
good offices were of no avail, he had a cannon fired 
in hopes that its mere noise would intimidate them. 
He was mistaken, however. When the natives 
saw that no damage was done, they became even 
bolder and replied to the cannon with shouts of de- 
rision. Seeing that it was necessary to make some 
impression upon them and show them what the 
cannon could do, he had a large one heavily loaded 
and aimed at a hill where a multitude of the natives 
were collected. The ball flew through the crowd. 
They saw to their dismay that the thunder could 
also hit and they fled in consternation into the woods. 
These natives were the handsomest he had yet seen. 
They were slim, had well-shaped limbs, and none of 
them the protruding paunches which were common 
among the savages. The harbor was filled with 
large alligators which used to come down to the 
shore to sleep. These animals gave out an aroma 
which filled the air. Although they seemed to be 
timid, they would strive, when attacked, to seize and 
devour their assailant. 

At last Columbus began to despair of finding the 

[120] 



ATTEMPTS TO FIND PASSAGE 

passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 
As he was also threatened by furious storm winds he 
decided to turn back, and sailed to a spot which 
he called Veragua and in which, according to the 
natives, there were rich gold mines. A terrible 
storm, which lasted several days, and the rapid 
diminishing of his supplies made this short voyage 
one of his most troublesome and dangerous. The 
entire supply of food which remained, after being 
at sea eight months, consisted of some poor remnants 
of ship biscuit which had become so tainted by the 
hot, damp weather of the region that it was unfit 
to eat. Notwithstanding this, the disgusting stuff 
was eagerly devoured, but those eating it would go 
off into dark corners so as not to see what they were 
putting into their mouths. In this wretched plight 
they looked askance at the great number of sharks 
swimming around the vessels. The superstitious 
followers of Columbus regarded these monsters as 
signs of misfortune. But in spite of their supersti- 
tious fears and in spite of the disgust which Europeans 
have for such oily flesh, these famished people de- 
voured shark meat with still greater zest because it 
tasted better than maggoty biscuit. 



[121] 



Chapter XVII 



Columbus Abandons the Hope of Discovering a Passage to 
the Pacific and Returns to Jamaica^ where his Vessels 
are Exposed to Great Danger — Two Boats are Sent to 
Haiti for Help 

BEFORE Columbus could reach the gold region 
of Veragua he was forced by a gale to come 
to anchor for a shorter or longer time at 
different places to weather the storms. At one of 
these places he beheld a curious sight. The natives 
did not live on the ground like other people but in 
houses in the air, built among the branches of trees. 
In reality it seemed as if they lived like the birds. 
They chose this mode of living to protect themselves 
from floods, wild animals, and their enemies. They 
reached their habitations by ladders and, once they 
were at home, drew them up, so that all access to 
them was cut off. 

At last they reached Veragua, with expectations 
of rich booty, and came to anchor at the mouth of 
a river which Columbus named Belen. They shortly 
became acquainted with some of the natives and, 
learning from them that at the distance of a few 
days' journey up the stream there was the city of a 
prince named Quibia, Columbus determined to sail 
[122] 



COLUMBUS ABANDONS HOPE 

up the river. Having done so, he sent his brother, 
Bartolomeo, ashore to give this Indian prince a fit- 
ting welcome. He had already been informed of 
the arrival of the whites, came to meet Bartolomeo, 
and they greeted one another with becoming friendli- 
ness. On the next day the prince visited the Admiral, 
who received him in a manner befitting his rank, 
and speedily made him his friend by a gift of some 
European trifles. 

Bartolomeo in the meantime had made careful 
inquiries about the gold mines and, learning their 
whereabouts, went to them. When the Spaniards 
reached the spot they found some pure gold lying at 
the roots of a tree, which was considered a sure sign 
that there must be an abundance of the metal in 
the soil. After picking up the pieces lying about 
they returned, bringing the news of their fortunate 
discovery to the Admiral, who at once decided to 
establish a colony there and ordered the erection of 
houses at the mouth of the river Belen. Work was 
begun enthusiastically and in a short time wooden 
houses, covered with palm leaves, were built. Co- 
lumbus selected eighty men for colonists and made 
his brother Bartolomeo their leader. They were 
provided with all the tools and materials necessary 
to make life comfortable and safe. He also left 
much fishing tackle with them as the waters in that 
region abounded in excellent fish. Among others 
there was a kind of anchovy, which the natives 
caught in a curious way. These fish when they were 

[123] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

pursued by others would leap out of the water upon 
the dry land. The Indians would cover their 
canoes with a great quantity of palm leaves and 
row about the river splashing their oars, and the 
fish, mistaking the foliage on the canoes for land, 
would spring into them, where they were captured. 

When all his arrangements had been completed 
and the Admiral was ready to make his return 
voyage to Spain, he learned to his great surprise 
that Prince Quibia, jealous at the settlement of 
Europeans in his country, had planned to fire the 
houses of the colonists. He counselled with his 
brother how to prevent this calamity, and both 
decided that it was absolutely necessary to get the 
start of him by seizing the Prince in person. Bar- 
tolomeo undertook to carry out their plan. Accom- 
panied by a strong force, he marched directly to the 
city of Veragua, where the Prince's dwelling stood 
upon a solitary eminence. When they had reached it 
Quibia requested Bartolomeo not to come to his house 
as he would come out to meet them. Bartolomeo 
took only five men with him and ordered the rest 
to follow at a little distance and, as soon as he gave 
the signal with a musket shot, to rush forward and 
seize the house and allow no one to escape. The 
Prince came forward but at the very instant he was 
about to receive his guest he found himself a prisoner. 
Thereupon the signal was given, the Spaniards 
surrounded the house, and all who were in it were 
taken prisoners without resistance. This deed was 

[124] 



COLUMBUS ABANDONS HOPE 

accomplished quickly, but a new succession of 
reverses began for Columbus, which lasted to the 
end of his life. 

The Prince was taken to the vessel, bound hand 
and foot. It was night when the boat was pushed 
off. The prisoner, who was fastened to it by ropes, 
complained of severe pain in his hands because 
they were tied too tightly. His humane captors 
loosened the rope but kept hold of it. Waiting his 
opportunity the Prince suddenly jumped overboard. 
They attempted in vain to drag him out again. 
His dexterity in swimming and the darkness of the 
night enabled him to escape. Quibia at once laid 
his plans to take a terrible revenge. He attacked 
the colony before it was aware by stealing through 
the dense forests with his men. They rushed on 
with wild cries and poured a shower of burning 
arrows upon the palm leaf roofs of the new houses, 
hoping to pierce and burn them. The distance, 
however, was too great. Thereupon ensued a des- 
perate struggle which would have resulted in the 
destruction of the colony if it had not been saved 
by the courage of Bartolomeo, who charged into 
the very midst of the enemy with a few men so 
furiously that at last they gave way after some had 
been killed and some wounded. Among the latter 
was Bartolomeo himself, who was wounded in the 
breast by an arrow, but not fatally. They hoped 
that the Prince would be deterred by this victory 
from further acts of hostility but they were dis- 

[I2S] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

appointed. He sought revenge more furiously than 
ever and undoubtedly the colony would have been 
the victim of his wrath had not the colonists, who 
clearly saw the danger enveloping them, decided 
to trust themselves to the mercy of the waves on 
the worm-eaten, crazy vessels rather than expose 
themselves daily to the fury of the savages. The 
Admiral, when informed of their decision, realized 
that it was necessary, and took them on board his 
vessels in canoes lashed together. 

There was no resort left for the Admiral except 
to reach Hispaniola with his crazy vessels, for it 
was impossible to go to Spain with them, but the 
elements seemed to be in a conspiracy to thwart his 
purpose. A fearful hurricane and thunder storm 
swept the ocean to its very depths and hurled the 
vessels about so violently that the crews lost all 
courage. Vainly Columbus sought to apply all 
those precautionary measures which experience had 
taught him. They did not listen to his commands 
and even if they had listened they were too terrified, 
confused, and exhausted to execute them. One of 
his vessels was lost as it approached the coast of 
the mainland and the others leaked so badly that 
the united exertions of all on board barely availed 
to keep them from sinking. In these desperate 
conditions Columbus steered for Cuba, hoping that 
he might be able to make the necessary repairs 
there. But this hope was denied him. A new and 
terrible storm drove him from the coast with irresist- 
[126I 



COLUMBUS ABANDONS HOPE 

ible fury out to sea and dashed the two vessels 
together so violently that all thought their last 
moment had come. But Providence preserved 
Columbus' life. His virtue was yet to be tried by 
harder tests. The joints of his vessels withstood 
the strain and, in the meantime having reached the 
coast of Jamaica, he ran them ashore to prevent 
them from sinking. Then he rescued himself and 
his companions by stranding them. Repairing them 
was no longer to be thought of for they were utterly 
worthless. It was fortunate from the Admiral's 
point of view that they were not destroyed, as he 
had two reasons for preferring that he and his com- 
panions should live upon the wrecks rather than 
ashore. In the first place they would be more se- 
cure from attack by the natives than on land, and in 
the second place he could prevent them from acts of 
hostility caused by the outrages of his own people. 
He propped up the stranded vessels as securely as 
he could, roofed over the decks, and forbade his men 
to go ashore. 

The natives soon discovered the vessels and in 
pursuance of the orders of Columbus were greeted 
in a friendly manner. The result was that they 
also displayed a friendly spirit and brought a pro- 
fusion of articles of food to exchange for the trifles 
which the Spaniards always carried. They willingly 
exchanged two geese for a bit of tinsel, a loaf of their 
bread for a glass bead, and for bells the most valu- 
able things they had for barter. Columbus in the 

[127] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

meantime counselled with his friends as to the best 
way of leaving the Island. Only one course seemed 
feasible and that was to request the governor of 
HIspanlola to send a vessel to take them off. Then 
the question arose how to get In communication 
with him. They had not a single boat left and 
HIspanlola was thirty miles distant from Jamaica. 
At last a way was found. By his humane and 
friendly attitude toward the natives Columbus 
so ingratiated himself that they were willing to 
sell him one or more of their canoes. They were 
wretched affairs, hardly deserving the name of 
boat, for they were hollowed out of tree trunks and 
were shapeless, poorly made things which they could 
hardly row ashore. The least gust of wind would 
upset them and the smallest waves wash over them. 
But notwithstanding the danger to life which 
seemed Inevitable in undertaking a long sea jour- 
ney In one of these wretched affairs, two daring men 
were found in Columbus' crew willing to risk their 
lives in an effort to rescue the Admiral and his men. 
One was named Mendez, the other Fiesko; the one 
a Spaniard, the other a Genoese. Each had a canoe 
of his own, and was accompanied by six Spaniards 
and some natives who were to do the rowing. It 
was arranged that as soon as they were fortunate 
enough to reach HIspanlola, Fiesko should return 
and inform the Admiral, while Mendez should go 
to San Domingo and execute the duty assigned him 
by Columbus. The daring navigators sailed away 

[128] 



COLUMBUS ABANDONS HOPE 

accompanied by the blessings and good wishes of 
their companions left behind. After they had been 
rowing continuously for two days and nights, exposed 
to intolerable heat, they began to fear that they had 
lost their way and were going by Hispaniola out into 
the open ocean. Their distress was great for their 
stock of water was exhausted and they were suffering 
horribly from heat, thirst, and exhaustion. Some 
of the natives dropped dead at their oars and all 
the others dreaded a similar fate. The only restora- 
tive they had was sea-water held in the mouth to 
cool the tongue. 

At last their dreadful condition was relieved by a 
ray of hope. It was night and, as the moon rose 
above the horizon, they observed at the place of 
its rising an elevation which they recognized as a 
cliff. This raised their hopes that they were near 
an island and encouraged them to attempt rowing 
to it with all their strength. When they reached it 
they found only a barren rock upon which apparently 
there was neither food nor drink. But they jumped 
out of the canoes and wandered despairingly about 
the rocky islet. In the clefts of the rocks they 
found an abundant store of rain-water which was 
as pure and clear as the water of a cistern. Unfor- 
tunately in their joy at finding this treasure they 
forgot the wise rule of moderation. They drank, 
and drank too much. Some of them paid the 
penalty with their lives, others with impaired health. 

The most pressing necessity of our adventurers 

[129] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

having been removed, a still more serious question 
presented itself. What was to be done next? 
Fortunately they found upon the shore of the island 
some fish washed up by the sea, and as these sufficed 
for their immediate wants, both the leaders decided 
to remain in the desolate place during the heat of 
the day and start away again toward evening in 
their search for land. As soon as evening came the 
unfortunates resumed their course, rowing all night 
by moonlight. At daybreak — to their unspeakable 
joy — they reached the west coast of Hispaniola. 



[130 



Chapter XVIII 



Conspiracy against Columbus at Jamaica — He Returns to 
Spain and Vainly Seeks Reinstatement — He Dies at 
Valladolid in 1506 

DAY after day the companions of Columbus 
watched the region whence Fiesko was to 
come with the news that Mendez had made 
a landing at Hispaniola, but they watched in vain. 
Fiesko did not appear. Thereupon they became 
desperate. They were sure both the adventurers 
had been lost and all hope of release from the island 
vanished. The air was filled with their complaints 
and these complaints at last changed to open revolt. 
They shrieked, cursed, and threatened the life of 
Columbus, and the dark hour seemed to have come 
when the great leader, who had overcome so many 
dangers, should fall a victim to their blind rage. 
Columbus was confined to his bed with a painful 
ailment, a large part of his crew were in a similar 
plight. Those who were on their feet had submitted 
themselves to the leadership of two brothers, named 
Porras. The oldest of these, an unfeeling wretch, 
approached the Admiral's bed and savagely de- 
manded to know why he did not go back to Spain. 
Columbus replied with his customary composure 

[131] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

that he had no way of returning, much as he wished 
to do so; if any one of his men could show him the 
way to do it, he would gladly go. Gracious as his 
answer was, it made not the slightest impression 
upon the shameless Porras. He replied even more 
ferociously that it was no time for pretences. For 
his part he was going to sail. Thereupon he shouted 
to the assembled crowd: "Those who wish to follow 
me, step forward." His words were the sign for a 
universal uprising on the vessel. Most of them at 
once declared that they were ready to follow him. 
The Admiral, suffering as he was with the torments 
of gout, sprang from his bed to calm the disturbance, 
but his attendants who were justly afraid he would 
be murdered, restrained him. The mutineers gave 
way and retired when his brother, Bartolomeo, 
rushed into their midst, pike in hand, to punish 
them for their treachery. The leaders of the revolt 
in the meantime seized ten small craft which the 
Admiral had secured from the natives and sprang 
into them. This caused the others who had taken 
no part in the uprising to waver in their loyalty and 
most of them got into the boats and asked to be 
taken with them. It was with the deepest concern 
that Columbus, his brother, Bartolomeo, and his 
son Ferdinand watched this distressing spectacle. 
The poor bedridden invalid saw himself deserted 
by almost all his crew. The few faithful attendants 
gathered around his bed and engaged in excited 
discussion, while he thanked them for their proof 
[132] 



DIES IN 1506 



of loyalty and encouraged them to remain steadfast 
in their duties and to look for a speedy termination 
of their present wretched condition, assuring them 
that in the future their honesty and loyalty would 
be rewarded. 

The unfeeling mutineers in the meantime rowed 
with exultant shouts to the eastern point of the 
island, thence passing over to Hispaniola. When 
they went ashore they plundered and outraged the 
natives and shamelessly advised them to hold the 
Admiral responsible, as he was the sole cause of 
their trouble. If they could get no indemnity from 
him, they had their permission to kill him. It was 
his intention to make them all suffer and if they 
were smart they would get ahead of him. This 
greatly embittered the Indians against their treach- 
erous leaders. Next they forced a large number of 
Indians, whom they had made prisoners, to go on 
board and do the rowing. 

They had hardly gone four miles after this when 
a furious wind arose and made the sea so rough 
that their small craft began to fill with water. In 
order to lighten them, the wretches determined to 
murder the Indians and throw them overboard. 
Some of them had already been killed when the 
others, growing desperate, flung themselves into 
the water and imploring mercy swam along near 
the canoes. But with unheard-of cruelty, when- 
ever they became exhausted and to rest themselves 
would cling for a little while to the canoes, these 

[133] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

European monsters would push them off and in- 
humanly leave them to die. No less than eighteen 
were thus sacrificed, and the same dreadful fate 
would have overtaken all of them had not the 
Spaniards doubted the possibility of reaching Ja- 
maica without the help of the few remaining. 

Columbus in the meantime bore his great trouble 
with his customary resolution and, sick as he was, 
looked after the other invalids with the tenderness 
of a father. Heaven blessed his generous solicitude 
and sympathy and in a short time the old man had 
the pleasure of seeing all of them restored to health. 
But now he had to contend with a new danger. 
The Indians, who had supplied him with provisions 
up to that time, began to fear that these voracious 
Europeans would stay there forever and consume 
everything they could produce. This fear and the 
outrages from which they had suffered at the hands 
of the mutineers prejudiced them against the whites, 
and the result was they stopped bringing supplies 
to the vessels. Columbus, however, found a way of 
surmounting this difficulty, for which he was indebted 
to his knowledge of astronomy. He foresaw that 
an eclipse of the moon was at hand and he made use 
of this knowledge to arouse anew the respect and 
hospitality of the natives. With the help of one 
of the natives of Hispaniola he summoned the 
headmen by the announcement that he had some- 
thing of great importance to communicate to them. 
When they appeared, he told them through an Indian 

[134] 



DIES IN 1506 



interpreter that he and his companions were people 
who knew the God that made the heavens and the 
earth. This God, who protected the good and 
punished the bad, would also punish them if they 
refused any longer to supply food. As a sign of the 
punishment hanging over them, the moon the next 
night would wear a red and wrathful face, showing 
them what trouble they would bring upon themselves 
if they longer refused to be hospitable to their guests. 
At first they laughed at the prophecy, but when the 
moon began to grow dark and the darkness increased, 
there was universal consternation among them. With 
shrieks and howls they implored the Admiral to pray 
to his God that He would not punish them, sacredly 
promising to supply him with everything necessary 
to life. Columbus agreed to do as they wished and 
shut himself up in his cabin for the moment, know- 
ing that the darkness would soon disappear. Then 
he reappeared and adjured the natives not to be 
troubled. God, he said, saw with great pleasure 
that their sentiments had changed. He therefore 
would not punish them and, as a sign of His gracious- 
ness, the moon would lose its angry appearance and 
soon shine upon them with its friendly beams. 
When this prophecy had been fulfilled they praised 
the Christian God in their joyous surprise and gen- 
erously provided the wonderful man, who had fore- 
told all this, with everything he needed. 

Eight long dreary months had passed since 
Mendez and Fiesko had left for Hispaniola and 

[135] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

nothing had been heard of them. There was not 
the least doubt they had perished and the compan- 
ions of Columbus gave up all hope of the expected 
assistance. In despair they contemplated deserting 
their leader and joining the mutineers who were 
roaming about the island and living upon their 
plunder. Just as they were about carrying out 
their purpose, to their great surprise a European 
vessel was seen lying at anchor not far from shore. 
It did not remain there long before its captain came 
to the Admiral in a boat and gave him a letter from 
the governor, together with a cask of wine and two 
sides of bacon. Hardly had he done this when he 
sprang back into his boat, rowed to his vessel, and 
sailed away. The letter which he brought contained 
nothing more than some empty words. 

Ovando, the governor of Hispaniola, was anxious 
that Columbus should miserably perish, for he feared 
that the discoverer, if he returned to Spain, might 
establish his rights and cause him to lose his position. 
He wished to know, therefore, just how great the 
necessities of this man were, whom he desired out 
of his way, and whether he could accomplish his 
infamous purpose if he delayed sending a vessel to 
him for a long time. This was the malicious reason, 
as some of the historians maintain, for sending his 
representative with orders to observe the condition 
of Columbus' affairs and then sail away again. 
Others give a more inoffensive reason. Ovando, 
they say, feared that Columbus was using the 

[136] 



DIES IN 1506 



stranding of his vessels as a pretext for coming to 
Hispaniola with a good grace and then securing the 
sovereignty by force. It was on this account that 
he had sent a spy to ascertain whether the affairs 
of the Admiral were such as had been described. 
Columbus informed his men that the vessel had 
sailed away because it was too small to take them 
and their belongings, that Mendez and Fiesko had 
fortunately arrived at Hispaniola and had orders 
to buy a larger vessel upon his account, which would 
soon come to their relief. In reality he had received 
no news of the fate of either of them. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the brave Fiesko had 
been prostrated with a fever contracted on the rocky 
island, true to his promise, he was anxious to return 
to the Admiral and bring him news of the fortunate 
outcome of their voyage. But not one of his com- 
panions could be induced to make that perilous voy- 
age again. Neither promises nor threats were of 
any avail and he found himself forced to go to San 
Domingo against his will. There he and Mendez 
repeatedly implored the governor to let them buy a 
vessel for the relief of their leader, but the governor 
managed in various ways to protract the business 
so that he might carry out his own designs. Mean- 
while Columbus had made many fruitless attempts 
to bring the rebels back to their allegiance. They 
not only persisted in their disloyalty but they de- 
manded that the Admiral should give them half 
of all the clothing and other articles on the stranded 

[137] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

vessels. If he refused to do this they threatened to 
take them by force. When the refusal was actually 
made they prepared to execute their threat. 

As Columbus was still sick he sent his brother 
Bartolomeo with an armed force to meet them. He 
had orders to use his good offices and not to begin 
hostilities until all other means were exhausted. 
Bartolomeo carried out the order, but when he 
approached in a friendly way and invited them to 
make peace they took it as a confession of weakness 
and the battle began. Six of them had planned to 
attack Bartolomeo and not to give up until they 
saw him fall. But Bartolomeo met them fearlessly 
and, as he was faithfully supported by his little 
following, he charged upon the rebels with such 
resistless force that in a short time he won a com- 
plete victory. Several were put to the sword, others 
were taken prisoners, and the rest escaped by flight. 
Among the prisoners who were taken back to the 
vessels in chains was Porras, the leader of the 
rebels, whom Bartolomeo had caught and dis- 
armed with his own hands. He himself received 
a wound In the hand. Shortly after this the fugitives 
sent to the Admiral messages imploring his mercy, 
and the magnanimous man, who was always more 
inclined to forgiveness than revenge, at once granted 
their prayer. At last order was restored. Every 
one returned to duty, every one was forgiven, and 
only the audacious leader of the mutiny remained 
in chains as a fitting punishment. 

[138] 



DIES IN 1506 



Mendez and Fiesko meanwhile had unceasingly 
striven to induce the governor of Hispaniola to 
allow them the privilege of buying a vessel with 
which to fetch away Columbus and his people from 
Jamaica. He hesitated long before granting this rea- 
sonable request but, at last, fearing they might apply 
to the Spanish Court if he persisted in leaving the 
Admiral helpless, he consented. Thus was Colum- 
bus relieved and at a time when everything looked 
hopeless. After spending a whole year in the strug- 
gle with poverty and calamity, the vessel arrived. 
All embarked joyfully June 28, 1504, and sailed to 
San Domingo which they reached August 13. The 
governor, concealing his real sentiments under the 
cloak of pretension and flattery, ordered Columbus 
to be received with all honor. At the same time, 
however, when this coward, because of his fears, 
was pretending to honor Columbus, he was secretly 
venting his spite against him in various malicious 
ways. He particularly arranged that the leader 
of the mutineers, who was to be taken to Spain in 
chains, should bring a suit for his immediate release, 
and at the same time threatened to bring proceedings 
against those who remained faithful to Columbus. 
The Admiral, who had borne many an injury at the 
hands of this unscrupulous man with patience, felt 
strong enough to endure this last outrage also. 
But he made all possible haste to leave a country 
whose discovery had been his misfortune, and as 
soon as a second vessel had been fitted out he sailed 

[139] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

for Spain, September 12, 1504. The same adverse 
fate which had followed him so persistently on his 
previous voyage overtook him on this last one. 
A furious storm was so disastrous to one of his 
vessels that he had to send it back to Hispaniola. 
The other was so badly damaged that it was doubtful 
whether it could accomplish the journey. Besides 
other mishaps it lost its fore and mainmasts. Co- 
lumbus nevertheless kept on his course undauntedly. 
With his half-wrecked vessel he traversed seven 
hundred miles of the ocean and finally reached, 
though with extreme difficulty, the harbor of St. 
Lucas, in Andalusia, early in November in the year 
1504. He had spent only a few days in Spain, 
recovering from the fatigue of his journey, when the 
news of a mournful event reached him. His pa- 
troness and only protector, Isabella, died Novem- 
ber 26, 1504. He had looked to her as his last and 
only reliance in obtaining his rights. Now she was 
gone! What could he expect from the prejudiced 
King, who had always shown himself inimical to 
him.^ 

Nevertheless, as soon as his health was in some 
measure restored, he hastened to the Court to make 
a report of all that had occurred. But he was 
coolly received. His just complaints of the many 
injuries he had suffered from his enemies were not 
listened to, and his reasonable request that his 
rights should be restored to him was evaded by 
shallow pretexts. Thus was this great and well- 

[140] 



DIES IN 1506 



deserving man condemned to devote the evening 
of his life to the business of vainly trying to obtain 
justice from an unjust judge and mercy from a 
merciless King. Heaven at last put an end to his 
long and bitter suffering. Exhausted by the trials 
and hardships he had undergone, he died at Valla- 
dolid on Ascension Day, May 20, 1506, his last 
words being, "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commit 
my spirit." His death was worthy of his life. He 
died with a peaceful spirit and with that trust in God 
which had characterized him during his whole life, 
even when it was darkest. His joyful soul hastened 
to that judgment-seat before which even Kings must 
appear. His earthly remains were at first deposited 
in the monastery of St. Francis in Valladolid and 
six years later were taken to the Carthusian mon- 
astery at Seville, where King Ferdinand erected 
a costly memorial to the discoverer. From this 
place the body was removed in 1536 to the island of 
San Domingo, the scene of his principal discoveries, 
and upon the cession of that island to the French 
it was taken to Cuba where the ashes rest in the 
cathedral of its capital. Near the high altar of 
this splendid structure his bust stands in a niche, and 
close by it is a silver urn which contains all that is 
left of the renowned explorer. 

In person Columbus was tall and shapely. His 
appearance was distinguished. He had a long face, 
aquiline nose, soft blue eyes, and a very fair com- 
plexion. In his youth his hair was auburn but, 

[141] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

owing to his many hardships and severe labors, it 
grew white early, for his life was a continual alter- 
nation from fortune to misfortune, from calumny 
to laudation, from the highest expressions of honor 
to the lowest degradations. Few and fleeting were 
his hours of pleasure, for hardly a day passed that 
he was not called upon to contend with physical 
pain or troublesome mishaps or aggravating injuries. 
Otherwise he was strong in his bodily constitution 
and was very powerful and agile. He had a pleas- 
ing and attractive manner and was friendly and 
modest with every one. He was courteous to stran- 
gers, affable to his attendants, merry with his good 
friends and, what was especially characteristic of 
him, in almost every situation of life he conducted 
himself in a manner that commanded admiration. 
He lived moderately, dressed modestly, and when- 
ever in his various expeditions he was overtaken by 
adverse circumstances, he allowed himself no com- 
forts which were not shared by his companions. In 
his youth he devoted himself industriously to the 
sciences, in which he excelled the average scholars of 
his time. But what is most worthy of commenda- 
tion was the quiet, sincere piety which he manifested 
upon every occasion. He was inclined to anger, but 
he so far overcame this passion with the principles 
of his religion that he could display an admirable 
gentleness and patience when exposed to the coarse 
assaults of his unworthy adversaries. 

Such was the man who was so grossly mistaken 

[142] 



DIES IN 1506 



and misjudged by his contemporaries but whose 
name is immortal and must ever arouse love and 
admiration in the hearts of all who prize the nobility 
of virtue and human greatness. 



[143] 



Chapter XIX 



Diego, Columbus^ Son, Secures the Rights coming to him 
from his Father — The Spaniards Extend their Author- 
ity in Central America and Rule Cruelly — Ponce de 
Leon^s Discovery of Florida 

DIEGO, Columbus' eldest son, after the death 
of his great father, urged the demand for 
the fulfilment of the contract made by the 
King, by virtue of which the government of the 
West Indies was vested in his family for all time, 
but it was all in vain. Ferdinand displayed the 
same prejudice and injustice to the son that he 
had to the father. All Diego's representations and 
appeals for justice were disregarded. At last he ven- 
tured to appeal from the King to the judge whose 
duty it was to investigate and settle all questions 
pertaining to America. To the everlasting glory of 
this tribunal be it said that the judge had the cour- 
age to decide against the King and in favor of the 
heirs of Columbus, and to declare that Diego must 
have the rights which were denied his father. Not- 
withstanding this, in all likelihood the King would 
have paid little attention to the decision had it not 
been that Diego brought strong influence to bear 
upon him. Elevated in rank by the decision of the 

[144] 



DISCOVERY OF FLORIDA 

highest court in the Spanish kingdom, he asked for 
the hand of the daughter of one of the most dis- 
tinguished men in the country, niece of a Duke of 
Alva, and no objection was offered. This powerful 
family urged the King so persistently and emphati- 
cally to carry out his contract that he at last surren- 
dered and conceded Diego's claims. Ovando was 
recalled and the Columbus family, victorious over 
jealousy and injustice, embarked for Hispaniola. 

Accompanied by his brother, his uncle, and his 
wife, Diego sailed for Hispaniola with almost kingly 
pomp, and lived there in all the splendor which was 
due to the great service his father had rendered 
Spain. A great number of persons of rank followed 
him there. In a short time the colony presented 
an entirely different aspect and many of the most 
flourishing and distinguished families in Spanish 
America are descendants of those who accompanied 
Diego. 

During Ovando's administration a certain Juan 
Ponce^ sought permission to establish a colony upon 
the island of Porto Rico, discovered by Columbus, 
and his request was granted. He sailed thither, 
accompanied by many adventurers, hoping to secure 
great treasures, as the island was reported to be 
rich in gold. The natives resembled those of His- 
paniola in their good nature and faithfulness. They 
received the whites in the most cordial manner, 

^ Ponce de Leon, born in Arragon in 1460, a Spanish soldier, conqueror 
of Porto Rico and discoverer of Florida. 

[145] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

regarding them as celestial beings, and one of their 
caciques, after the custom of the Indians, named 
himself Juan Ponce Agueynaba, after the Spanish 
leader, as a mark of eternal friendship. But these 
greatly honored celestial friends soon threw oflF their 
masks and showed themselves so cruel and inhuman 
that the natives discovered they were only men. 
To make sure that they were really mortal, the 
leaders of these unfortunate people decided to make 
the trial as thoroughly as possible with one individ- 
ual. With this purpose in view they waited an 
opportunity and soon found one. 

A young Spaniard, wandering about the island 
and feeling himself absolutely secure, came to the 
cabin of one of the headmen among the natives to 
spend the night with him. He was graciously re- 
ceived and hospitably entertained. The next morn- 
ing his host assigned some Indians to accompany 
him, partly to carry his bundles, and partly to act 
as guides. They had been instructed in the mean- 
time what to do. Coming to a river, one of the 
Indians offered to carry the Spaniard across and 
took him upon his back. When they were in the 
middle of the stream he intentionally fell, managing 
to submerge the Spaniard. With the help of his 
companions the Indian kept the victim under water 
until he was drowned. Then they dragged his 
body ashore. But their conviction of the im- 
mortality of the Spaniards was so strong that they 
were not even then certain the young Spaniard was 

[1461 



DISCOVERY OF FLORIDA 

actually dead. Although the dead man gave no 
sign of life they remained by him three days, un- 
ceasingly praying for pardon, because they still 
feared that he might come to life again. At last, 
when convinced he was actually dead, they hastened 
to bring the joyful news to the cacique that the 
white men were mortal and could die. He did 
not need to know more. He conveyed the news to 
the other caciques and they at once courageously 
determined to get rid of their tyrants by force. 
But what could a naked, unwarlike people accom- 
plish against trained warriors armed with swords 
and muskets and provided with horses and hounds.^ 
They had a great advantage in point of numbers, 
for over a hundred of them could surround and 
murder one Spaniard, but they paid the penalty for 
it with the loss of their freedom and happiness, for 
when the Spaniards discovered their plan of killing 
them individually. Ponce massed his warriors, who 
were mostly veterans, hunted the Indians in their 
hiding-places, slew them wherever he found them, 
and made slaves of those who were not killed. 
While engaged in this murderous business, reinforce- 
ments came from Hispaniola which impressed the 
superstitious islanders with the belief that the dead 
Spaniards had come to life again and that it was 
of no use longer to contend against those who could 
not die. Victims of their own ignorance, they bowed 
their necks under the hard yoke of slavery which 
was now mercilessly put upon them, 

[147] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

In their accounts of the Porto Rico slaughtering 
the historians of the time cannot sufficiently praise 
the cunning and courage of a great hound, named 
Bezerillo, and the astonishing deeds he performed. 
He knew, they said, how to distinguish the Indian 
friends and enemies of his masters. The Indians were 
more afraid of ten Spaniards with this dog than of 
a hundred without him. Before the outbreak they 
used to give the Spaniards all the provisions, gold, 
and even slaves they asked for to save themselves 
from being harmed by the dog. The following story 
of his cunning is also told: Some inhuman Span- 
iards took delight in tormenting an old Indian 
woman whom they disliked. Upon one occasion 
they sent her off with a letter. She had hardly set 
out before Bezerillo was let loose to run her down. 
He fiercely pursued her but the woman threw her- 
self upon her knees, showed the dog the letter, and 
said: "O, gracious Sir Hound! I pray your grace, 
spare me! I must deliver this letter to the Chris- 
tians!" The dog, as if he clearly understood her, 
wagged his tail and trotted back to his masters 
without doing her any harm. 

The happiness of these poor natives was gone 
forever. The discoveries and conquests of the 
Spaniards rapidly increased. The first step which 
Diego took for the extension of his sway and the 
increase of the royal possessions was the founding 
of a colony on the island of Cubagua, discovered 
by his father, to engage in pearl fisheries. These 

[148] 



DISCOVERY OF FLORIDA 

pearls grow in certain mussels and oysters, not only 
in the sea but also in rivers, and have to be taken 
from the bottom. Some think that they come from 
a disease of the shellfish, but this much is certain, 
that the material of the pearls at first is a juice 
which comes from the body of the fish and gradually 
hardens. The pearl-fishers, who are mostly poor 
men, dive into the water and bring them up. Diego 
conceived that the work of these Indians, who were 
used to swimming and diving, could be more profit- 
ably employed in this manner than in mining. He 
sent a number of them with the necessary European 
overseers to Cubagua, where his father had found 
that the waters abounded in pearls. The profits 
of the fisheries both for the King and the governor 
were exceedingly large, but the unfortunate natives 
employed in the fishing found the work so unhealthy 
and dangerous that most of them were lost. The 
general barrenness of the island soon compelled the 
colony to leave and settle in the adjacent island of 
Margarita. 

About this time Diego took possession of the 
island of Jamaica. A colony was established and the 
natives soon found themselves destined to the same 
fate which had overtaken their brethren in His- 
paniola and Porto Rico. Next in order came Cuba. 
Diego assigned its conquest to Velasquez,^ a man 
who had made himself famous on various occasions 
during the lifetime of Columbus. A large number 

^Velasquez accompanied Columbus to Espanola in 1493. 

[149] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

of people who hoped to make their fortunes accom- 
panied him and a landing was made at the eastern 
point of the island. This region at that time was 
ruled by a cacique named Hatuey who had escaped 
from slavery in Hispaniola and settled there. A 
sworn enemy of the oppressors of his people, he had 
long expected a visit from them and had arranged 
with spies in Hispaniola to send him early news 
of their movements. He now saw the dreaded 
calamity at his doors. He summoned his followers, 
announced the danger which threatened them, and 
encouraged them to maintain their liberty to the 
last drop of their blood. All courageously agreed 
to follow him. 

"This is well," replied Hatuey, "but one thing 
more is necessary, my good people, if our efforts to 
save ourselves from the tyrants are to be successful. 
Do you know why they never come here to look 
for their God among us ^ Do you know who their 
God is.^ See him here! This is he!" 

As he said this he showed them a basket of gold, 
and assured them this worthless metal was their 
God, for whom they were venturing everything and 
seeking to hold possession of the island. "Let us 
hasten," he said, "to celebrate this deity of the 
Christians and secure His protection." Then in 
the Indian fashion they began singing and dancing 
around the basket. The festivity was kept up until 
late into the night and did not cease until the entire 
company had succumbed to weariness and exhaus- 

[ISO] 



DISCOVERY OF FLORIDA 

tion. On the next day Hatuey summoned them 
together again and told them that, notwithstanding 
the honors they had paid to this deity, he was not 
sure they would be safe so long as He remained on 
the island. "It is useless," he exclaimed, "to hide 
Him. If you should swallow Him they would cut 
you to pieces to find Him in your insides. So let 
us throw Him into the sea so that He shall be no 
longer upon our island." His advice was promptly 
followed. They gathered all the gold they could 
find and threw it into the ocean. 

Notwithstanding this action the Spanish flags were 
soon waving on their shores. Hatuey courageously 
hastened to meet the foe. A battle ensued. The 
natives were soon beaten and put to flight. Hatuey 
himself was taken prisoner and, as a terrible exam- 
ple to other caciques, was sentenced to be burned 
alive. As he was standing at a pile of fagots, bound 
to a stake, a Franciscan approached to describe 
heaven to him, the place of the blessed after death. 

"Do the Spaniards also go to this blessed place .^" 
inquired Hatuey. 

"Certainly," replied the monk; "but only the 
good ones." 

"That is good for nothing," answered Hatuey, "I 
will go to no place where I shall be in danger of 
meeting one of them." 

This dreadful act of barbarity inspired the natives 
all over Cuba with such fear that they no longer 
thought of resistance but willingly subjected them- 

[iSi] 



CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS 

selves to the Spanish yoke. Thus in a few days the 
Spaniards conquered one of the greatest and most 
beautiful islands in the world without losing a man. 
About this time various expeditions were sent out 
to the mainland and preparations were made to 
establish colonies and subject the natives. 

Ponce, the conqueror of Porto Rico, heard from 
several natives a story that was commonly believed 
by those simple people. According to this story 
there was an island toward the north and a wonder- 
ful fountain upon it whose water had the remarkable 
effect of making the person who drank it young and 
strong again. Absurd as the story was, it so excited 
the curiosity of the credulous Ponce that he deter- 
mined to search for the wonderful fountain. 

With this purpose in view he set sail from Porto 
Rico, directing his course northward toward the 
Lucayan Islands. After reaching the twenty-sixth 
degree of north latitude he changed his course to 
the west and found to his great delight a large, beau- 
tiful country, which we now know to have been a part 
of North America, to which Ponce afterward gave 
the name of Florida, either because it had such a 
blooming appearance or because its discovery was 
made at the season which is known as Easter day, 
or, as it is called in Spanish, "Pascua florida," or 
"Flowery Easter." Thus a very silly story led to a 
most important discovery. 

The attention of the Spaniards was shortly 
directed to another part of the world, which had 

[IS2] 



DISCOVERY OF FLORIDA 

hitherto been entirely unknown to them. They 
conjectured the existence of a country in the same 
latitude as that of the great rich Mexico, but no 
one had yet tried to find it. 

The famous man who opened up this country to 
Europeans was Cortes. 



[IS3] 



:appentii5e 



The following is a chronological statement of the 
principal events treated of in this volume: 

(?)i436 Birth of Columbus. 

1470 Columbus arrives at Lisbon. 

1484 Columbus goes to Spain. 

1490 His scheme rejected, 

1492 Agreement signed with Ferdinand. 

1492 Discovery of America. 

1493 Columbus returns to Spain. 
1493 Second voyage. 

1495 Investigation of his administration. 

1496 Returns to Spain. 
1498 Third voyage. 

1500 Bobadilla sent to the West Indies. 

1500 Columbus sent to Spain in chains. 

1502 Ovando appointed governor of Hispanlola. 

1502 Fourth voyage. 

1504 Returns to Spain. 

1506 Death of Columbus. 



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